Robert Saleh doesn't think Aaron Rodgers' comments were attack on Jets' organization
Following Aaron Rodgers’ appearance on the Pat McAfee Show this week, Jets head coach Robert Saleh answered questions about his QB’s fiery comments concerning Zach Wilson and leaks seemingly coming from within the organization. After reporter Dianna Russini shared that sources revealed Wilson was “reluctant” to start again for the Jets, Rodgers questioned the motives of anyone who would attack the former first-rounder in that way.
“That’s a problem within the organization,” Rodgers told McAfee. “We need to get to the bottom of where this is coming from and put a stop to it, privately. There’s no place in a winning culture for it, and this isn’t the only time. There’s been a bunch of other leaks.”
Saleh didn’t take Rodgers’ comments as an “attack” on the Jets and agreed that the team should handle the matter internally.
“I don’t think it’s an attack on the organization, but I always appreciate Aaron’s thoughts and comments… We’ll handle all that stuff internally, but like I said, everyone’s going to have their thoughts, but those are the things we’ll handle internally,” Saleh said.
After the hubbub to start the week, the Jets released two-time starter Tim Boyle. They waived him and replaced his spot on the roster with Brett Rypien from the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad, while announcing Wilson as the starter for Sunday versus the Texans.
Rodgers defends Zach Wilson after ‘character assassination’
On Tuesday, the four-time league MVP dismissed the report on Zach Wilson that was based on anonymous sources and questioned the outright character assassination of his young teammate.
“When you have sources, and that’s always an interesting thing… When you use sources, whether intentional or unintentional, to assassinate someone’s character like that report does for Zach, I have a real hard time with that,” Rodgers said.
“How can you not read it any other way? You’re saying that this kid is basically quitting on his team and doesn’t want to play, giving the middle finger to the organization,” Rodgers continued. “Listen, I don’t want to speak for him because he’s going to get a chance to speak this week. I’ll tell you that I love the kid. I’ve spent a lot of time with him. I think he’s an amazing young man.
“And he is young… he’s gone through a lot of shit over the last three years. I think he has every right to be frustrated and disappointed about it. I think he’s done a good job of stepping up and taking accountability this year when it’s been his part to do it.”
The New York Jets are currently 4-8 and going in the wrong direction if they’re hoping for a late-season push worthy of Rodgers’ return. They host the surging Houston Texans on Sunday for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.