Jets’ Coach Speaks Out On Aaron Rodgers’ Wild Wish List

The New York Jets’ biggest move this offseason was acquiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers. His arrival provides the team with the quarterback upgrade they have been seeking to hopefully get back in the postseason. New York’s 12-year playoff-less streak is currently the longest in sports after the Sacramento Kings snapped their 16-year drought in the NBA this year.

Before Rodgers was acquired, rumors swirled that he had provided the Jets with a wish list of players he wanted to see the team target in the offseason to guarantee his arrival. The only player who was mentioned on that list that didn’t land with the Jets was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. who ultimately took more money from the Baltimore Ravens.

Rodgers didn’t say that the list was a demand, more of a guideline to players he would love to play alongside. New York did bring in wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, who were both on the list. Offensive lineman Billy Turner is another player Rodgers is familiar with that was signed this offseason.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh was asked about the list and if there were discussions held with Rodgers. He pushed back against those rumors, saying it was a silly narrative being created.

“So, I can try to say this as respectfully as I can — I’m not attacking anyone. It’s just that I do think it’s a silly narrative, with regards to a ‘wish list,’” Saleh said in his press conference. “And I say that because there’s 32 teams in the NFL. And it’s common practice for when there’s changes, when you have a new coaching staff, when you have people coming in, that you surround those people with people they’re familiar with.

“I had a wish list — Solomon Thomas, Marcell Harris, D.J. Reed, Kwon Alexander — guys who I’ve worked with who were very familiar with our messaging, very familiar with our scheme, who can come in and play. We had it on offense with Laken Tomlinson, Tevin Coleman, and guys who have been in the system. Shoot, Tom Brady goes to Tampa and he gets [Rob] Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. So, it is very common for new faces to want old faces — to be able to come in and accelerate the installation of a program.”

Saleh does make a good point that bringing in people you are familiar with does make the transition easier. Coaches and front office people always go back to players and coaches they have a previous relationship with when embarking on a new opportunity.

In that regard it wasn’t a silly narrative; it is something he has admitted he did himself when he took the head coaching job with the Jets. He also added that Rodgers shouldn’t be painted in a certain way because he isn’t the only one with connections to these players. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett also has a relationship with them.

“Everything’s being pinned on the quarterback — it’s not just him,” Saleh said. “Hackett has something to say about it. He loves Lazard, loves Randall, took Billy Turner with him to Denver and wanted him here in [New York]. So, of course you’re going to surround a coach with people who he feels will be able to plant the flag.

“So, that whole narrative of whatever people are trying to put on the quarterback, I think it’s tired.”

It sounds as if Saleh is going to bat for Rodgers and general manager Joe Douglas. Saleh wants to shut down any talk that demands were issued by Rodgers and Douglas willingly gave in to ensure he would come to New York.

Sharing input on players you would like to play alongside is commonplace not only in the NFL but across all sports. If it helps convince a player to join your team, you can use that to your advantage for sure. But, it sounded like Rodgers was heading for the Jets regardless of the offseason moves that were made; those were just icing on the cake.