Robert Saleh Explains Viral Video of Aaron Rodgers 'Awkward Hug' Moment in Jets Win

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh offered an amusing explanation for the awkward sideline moment with Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter of Thursday's 24-3 win over the New England Patriots.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Saleh said their messaging to the offense throughout the week was to get a two-score lead and Rodgers "just wanted to see something on defense" when they achieved their mission.

The two appeared to be on different pages when Saleh was going for a hug but Rodgers pushed him in the chest after the Jets took a 14-0 lead on Breece Hall's touchdown run.

Rodgers corroborated Saleh's story during his postgame press conference, saying he "kind of gave him a push and said 'two-score lead.'"

It's good that Rodgers and Saleh have been able to get on the same page after their strange public comments during the summer about the star quarterback's absence from mandatory minicamp due to a planned vacation.

More important for the Jets, though, is Rodgers played his best game of the season against the Patriots. He finished 27-of-35 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time he threw for at least 200 yards since his final game with the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 8, 2023.

The Jets have scored at least 24 points in back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game stretch from Weeks 4-6 of the 2022 season.

New York has three extra days of rest before hosting the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in Week 4 on Sept. 29.