Aaron Rodgers denies ‘ridiculous’ claims he played role in Saleh’s firing

Aaron Rodgers insisted he played no role in the firing of Robert Saleh as the New York Jets coach and called such allegations “patently false.”

The quarterback made his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, a day after Jets owner Woody Johnson fired Saleh after the team got off to a 2-3 start in the coach’s fourth season.

Earlier this season, Rodgers was forced to deny there was tension between himself and Saleh, and there was speculation that he may have had a hand in influencing Johnson, who said on Tuesday the decision was “my decision and my decision alone.”

“As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it,” Rodgers said. “And that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false. And it’s interesting the amount of power that people think that I have, which I don’t.”

“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” Rodgers said. “I just appreciated the call that he was checking on me.”

Rodgers said the move to fire Saleh was a reminder of how football “is a tough business” and there’s a human aspect to decisions such as this. He cited Saleh’s family, including one of the coach’s seven children with whom he grew close during the team’s practices. Rodgers also reiterated he and Saleh were not at odds.

“I love Coach Saleh,” Rodgers said. “We have a very solid relationship. … He was a big reason why I came to the Jets.”

New York entered this season with similar aspirations, but a two-game skid and inconsistent play by Rodgers and the offense had Johnson concerned the team was headed in the wrong direction.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s status as the primary play caller is uncertain. Hackett and Rodgers have a strong relationship from their time together in Green Bay. But the quarterback said he’s “on board” with whatever changes Ulbrich makes.