Jets Rumors: Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh Didn't Have 'Significant Rift' amid Firing

Despite speculation to the contrary, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers reportedly didn't have a hand in the firing of head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, there was no "significant rift" between Rodgers and Saleh, and it was owner Woody Johnson who made the call to change things up at head coach.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added that a source said the idea Rodgers got Saleh fired is "BS," as Rodgers advocated for Saleh to remain the head coach at the end of the 2023 season.

Given Rodgers' status as a future Hall of Famer and one of the most influential players in the league, there was seemingly an assumption among fans that his input led to Saleh's termination.

However, a source told Fowler the decision was "100 percent Woody," and another team source suggested that Johnson was never fully sold on Saleh since he was hired while Johnson was away serving as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom in 2021.

When Saleh was hired after a successful run as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, it was done with the hope that the Jets would get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2010.

Saleh posted a losing record in each of his first three seasons in New York, although he seemed to be absolved of blame to at least some degree because of poor quarterback play.

The Jets selected quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, and despite the team's best efforts to make him the franchise guy, he proved to be a bust over the course of his three seasons in New York.

Johnson, Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas actually moved on from Wilson as the starter after two seasons when they acquired Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, but when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on the Jets' first offensive series last season, they had to turn back to Wilson.

Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos during the offseason and a healthy Rodgers returned, but the Jets are off to a disjointed start at 2-3.

New York has lost back-to-back games, falling 10-9 to the Denver Broncos and 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings, and Rodgers struggled in both outings.

While some of that blame could be placed on the shoulders of Rodgers or offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets have a heavy investment in Rodgers and he is close with Hackett dating back to their time together in Green Bay.

That meant the easiest and most obvious move to provide a spark to the team was to make a change at head coach, and Johnson decided to go to the well.

Graziano noted that Johnson believes the Jets have a roster that can "win and win big," but needed to be coached up better, which is where defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich comes in.

Now, the Jets enter a key divisional game on the heels of a coaching change, as they host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night.

As poorly as things have gone, if the 2-3 Jets are able to beat the 3-2 Bills on Monday, they will suddenly find themselves tied for the AFC East lead.