The New York Jets will play their Week Six game against the Buffalo Bills with a new voice at the helm. Earlier this week, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh following the team’s 2-3 start. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. A head coaching candidate in the past, many view this opportunity as an audition for Ulbrich.
After dismissing Saleh, Johnson told reporters that the decision for a mid-season change was his and his alone. He said this because there were rumors that four-time NFL MVP and former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have had something to do with the decision.
These are rumors that Rodgers vehemently denies.
New York Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers Denies Being Involved in the Decision to Fire Robert Saleh
Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh hugs quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) after a touchdown by running back Breece Hall (not pictured) during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Rodgers, as many fans know, usually appears on the Pat McAfee Show every Tuesday during the NFL season. However, since Saleh was fired on Tuesday this week, Rodgers’ appearance was pushed back a day.
When he did go on the show on Wednesday, he spent a brief amount of time addressing the rumors that he had something to do with Saleh getting fired.
“I resent any of those accusations, because they are patently false. It’s interesting, the amount of power that people think I have, which I don’t,” Rodgers said.
The future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback mentions that Saleh was actually a big reason why he chose the Jets as his preferred trade destination in 2023. He also stated that Johnson does not need to consult him on every decision made regarding the team.
One former Packers player, though, is not buying Rodgers’ statements.
Former Green Bay Packers Tight End Mark Chmura Thinks Aaron Rodgers Did Have Robert Saleh Fired
Nov 19, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the second quarter game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Chmura is a former Packers tight end who played for the team from 1993-1999. He made three Pro Bowls during his brief career and helped the franchise win Super Bowl XXXI.
He was/is very good friends with former Packers quarterback Brett Favre.
Chmura is now a sports talk personality for ESPN in Milwaukee. During his show, the Jen, Gabe, and Chewy show, the former Packers tight end recalled how Favre had Brad Childress fired as the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings during his brief stint there (via Awful Announcing):
“When [Favre] was with Minnesota, second year they’re not playing as well. Chilly goes up to him and says, ‘I’m going to pull you out of the game.’ And we all know No. 4 … he said ‘No.’ And they got into a fight on the sideline.
“So Chilly is replacing Brett, Brett runs onto the field, says, ‘You’re not replacing me,’ plays the rest of the game. Get into a huge fight after the game.
“Brett’s in a deer stand on Tuesday, [Vikings owner] Zygi Wilf calls him up and is like, ‘What should I do?’ And Brett said, ‘Fire his a**.’”
And, of course, that is what Wilf did. Childress was fired because Favre did not like him.
Chmura claims that since Favre did it to Childress, it must be true that Rodgers did it to Saleh.
“This is the exact same story, the exact same story, what went on here. Aaron Rodgers, I guarantee, I guarantee he told Woody Johnson to fire (Saleh).”
As previously mentioned, Chmura never played with Rodgers. It is more likely that he is speculating than anything else.
Again, both Johnson and Rodgers have denied that the star quarterback had anything to do with the decision to fire Saleh.