Jets' Aaron Rodgers addresses allegations he got Robert Saleh fired

Multiple reporters previously insisted that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was not involved in the decision made by team owner Woody Johnson to fire head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday. 

During his weekly appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," which was pushed back from Tuesday to Wednesday, Rodgers addressed that very topic. 

"As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it, and that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false," Rodgers said, as shared by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "It’s interesting the amount of power people think I have, which I don’t. But I love Robert." 

Former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason suggested last week that there was "a major issue" between Saleh and Rodgers amid the struggles of New York's offense. That was before the future Hall of Famer tossed three interceptions in this past Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings that dropped the Jets to 2-3 on the season. 

That defeat seemingly was enough for Johnson to part ways with Saleh and elevate defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to the role of interim head coach. 

Rodgers and Saleh both tried to pour cold water over rumors regarding their relationship ahead of the Minnesota game. During Wednesday's "The Pat McAfee Show" segment, Rodgers said he and Saleh "have a very solid relationship" and that Saleh "was a big reason" the 40-year-old wanted to join the Jets via a trade from the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2023. 

Meanwhile, Rodgers said he heard from Johnson on Monday night because the owner simply wanted to see how the signal-caller was feeling. Rodgers reportedly is dealing with injuries to both of his knees and a low ankle sprain. 

"Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are," Rodgers said about Johnson not mentioning during the chat he could fire Saleh on Tuesday. "I just appreciate the call that he was checking on me. It was like a friend call." 

Outsiders may not believe Rodgers, but it's easy to understand why Johnson felt Saleh wasn't the right coach to turn the 2024 Jets around. Across three seasons and five games in charge, Saleh accumulated an overall record of 20-36 with no playoff appearances with the Jets. 

What's done is done, and Rodgers will now need to do whatever possible to help his teammates focus on trying to beat the 3-2 Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium this coming Monday night. As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Jets as two-point underdogs against the Bills.