Aaron Rodgers resents 'ridiculous' allegations about his involvement in firing jet coach Robert Saleh

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Aaron Rodgers has addressed speculations about his involvement in the firing of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

Speaking on the October 9 episode of 'The Pat McAfee Show,' the Jets quarterback denied having any part in the decision which came just a day before.

Aaron Rodgers reflects on 'solid relationship' with Robert Saleh

Aaron Rodgers made it clear that he had a good relationship with Robert Saleh and that the head coach’s departure was not connected to him in any way.

"I love Coach Saleh, we have a very solid relationship, we have since I met him in 2021," Rodgers said. 

"He was a big reason why I came to the Jets. I felt like the team was a solid team," he added.

The Jets decided to fire Saleh following a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, a move that surprised many, including Rodgers.

Woody Johnson, the Jets’ owner, reportedly believed that the team needed a change and placed defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in interim charge, Daily Mail reported.

Aaron Rodgers responds to allegations of firing influence

Some speculated that Aaron Rodgers may have been involved in Saleh’s firing due to his close relationship with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

There were rumors that Saleh was considering firing Hackett before his own dismissal. However, Rodgers addressed these claims head-on.

"As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I'm not gonna spend more than one sentence in response to it," Rodgers said on the show.

"And that is that I resent any of those accusations because they are patently false," he continued. "It's interesting the amount of power that people think that I have, which I don't," Rodgers added.

Rodgers mentioned that while he had spoken to Johnson the night before, their conversation focused solely on his injured ankle, which he hurt during the Jets' Week 5 game against the Vikings.

Former teammates, NFL insiders on Aaron Rodgers' influence and role in Robert Saleh firing

Sportswriter Dan Le Batard and former NFL player Greg Jennings both commented on the situation, with Le Batard implying that Rodgers had some awareness of Saleh's firing before it happened.

Dianna Russini, senior NFL insider for The Athletic, stated on 'The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz' that "Aaron knew that Woody was contemplating it but never said 'Are you okay if I fire Robert Saleh tomorrow?'... People in that building were shocked," Russini said.

Greg Jennings, a former Green Bay Packers teammate of Rodgers, also shared his opinion, stating that he believes Rodgers has too much control within the Jets organization.

"That's the biggest issue, this is all about Aaron Rodgers," Jennings said on 'The Breakfast Ball.'

"For them to have a conversation, it tells me that he has too much say, he has too much input on things that he really shouldn't have input on," Jennings concluded.