Jets QB Aaron Rodgers denies role in Robert Saleh firing: 'I don't mind any of these allegations'

The New York Jets returned home from England on Sunday night with a 2-3 record.

Their leadership structure remained intact as of Monday before team owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.

In the interim, Johnson called quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night.

Combine the timing of that conversation with some public spats between Rodgers and Saleh, and questions swirl about the four-time MVP's role in the dismissal.

Speaking Wednesday afternoon on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rogers called the allegations “ridiculous.”

“I resent any of these allegations because they are patently false,” Rogers said. Rogers said, “It's interesting how much energy people think I have. Which I don't. I love Robert and it was one of those days yesterday.”

During the nearly hour-long interview with McAfee, Rodgers thanked Saleh for his leadership, citing Saleh as “a big reason I came to the Jets” and saying “we have a very strong relationship.”

He said there was “nothing out of the ordinary” about Johnson's call Monday night, referring to calling the team owner after his Achilles surgery last year and during his rehab process.

Johnson and Rodgers said they discussed Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers passing for 60,000 yards and the injuries he took, including a sprained left ankle.

Both said they had not discussed Saleh's future, a decision they said was Johnson's alone.

“Woody is under no obligation to tell me what his plans are,” Rogers said. “It doesn't matter if he knew what he was doing at that moment.”

Either way, his players will soon find out.

'Aaron probably took it harder than anyone'

Rogers was receiving treatment at the facility Tuesday morning when the news alert came through. Right tackle Morgan Moses was working. Punter Thomas Morstead received a text from his neighbor, who saw the warning before the 16-year veteran.

Soon the players' leadership council met with team co-owners Woody and Chris Johnson, with Jeff Ulbricht joining later in the process of being promoted from defensive coordinator to interim coach.

The leadership council convened a players-only meeting before Ulbricht led a team meeting, concluding the conversation by position group.

Players emphasized accountability, reminding each other that their performance directly affected each other's job security. They exposed their vulnerability to what Morstead called “natural instability” when the head coach who championed many of their roster spots is gone.

“We hold each other's careers in our hands, so to speak,” Morstead said during a virtual interview Wednesday. “We're not just playing for ourselves.”

Rodgers expressed grief for Saleh's wife and children as they navigated the layoff, especially Saleh's son Adam whom Rodgers threw during training camp.

“There's humanity in all of this,” Rogers said. “There is a family and extended family that is really hurting. So while you're out there … celebrating it, just remember there's a human side to it.”

The players cited the unusual timing and nature of Saleh's dismissal and subsequent players-only meeting. The team is not deep into the season, but is out of the playoffs. If they beat the Buffalo Bills in Monday night's home game, the Jets will move into first place in the AFC East. Their playoff goals are well within reach and controlling their playoff path could be realistic as soon as Monday.

Rodgers, Morstead and Mose were among those sharing that message at Tuesday's players-only meeting, Tyler Conklin said.

Conklin also noted how Saleh's firing “weighed heavily on Rodgers,” further confirming to players that narratives about his role in Saleh's shooting were misplaced.

“Aaron probably took it harder than anybody,” Conklin said. “One of the main reasons he came here was because of Coach Saleh and [offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett — The roster they assembled and what coach Saleh built here.

“That's not true at all.”

What will happen for the Jets before the prime-time game vs. the Bills?

Neither Rodgers nor Moses answered the biggest remaining question Wednesday: Who will call the plays for the Jets moving forward.

Hackett has come under fire for the Jets' 27th-ranked offense.

Johnson made a coaching change because he believed his talent was capable of more than his coach. The second-ranked defense wasn't the strength of that problem.

“Wherever there's change, we're going to make change,” Woody Johnson said on a call with reporters Tuesday. “We know where we are weak and where we are strong. And you do the same.”

Rodgers said he would support Ulbricht's proposed changes when asked about Hackett, who also coached him with the Green Bay Packers.

“Our relationship is great,” Rodgers said of his offensive coordinator. “It always has been and always will be. Whatever happened to Robert, some things needed to change. We just didn't play consistent football on offense. We know, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

“[Ulbrich] And I've talked a few times. I'm with him on whatever decision he makes as far as offense goes. I want to do what is best for the team. We're throwing our support behind Coach Ulbricht and we'll go with what he thinks is best for the team.”

Moses said “no we didn't” yet to be told who would call the plays until Wednesday afternoon.

“But being an experienced guy and being in multiple systems, it doesn't matter what the play is called or who's calling the play,” Moses said. “It's up to us to go out there and make those plays.”

Rodgers said he needs to play better after throwing three interceptions, including a pick 6, after being the first in the loss to the Vikings. He said “great coaches have great players,” and it's time to move up his list.

The extra day between games gives them time to process their emotions and they hope they can beat the Bills on Thursday.

“It was definitely a wake-up call and an eye opener for a lot of people,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said. “Our foundation was cracked. This may have some trickle-down effect.

“But if we build it right, it won't tear our house down.”

Rogers expressed his commitment to that goal.

“There will always be narratives and conversations about what I think and how much power I have and how much influence I have,” he said. “I think about my teammates, I think about winning. I am accountable to myself and my organization and my teammates. I have to play better. i will And we're going backwards [Ulbrich] And with that something will change.

“That's the direction we're going to go.”