Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has admitted that he was involved in the firing of Robert Saleh. That's not what conspiracy theorists think.
Rodgers said Thursday that he thought if he had played better in the first five games of the season, Saleh would still have been the head coach and Nathaniel Hackett would have continued to call the plays.
“We all feel terrible for wasting the opportunities we had, which led to Robert being fired and Huck being demoted. This doesn't happen,'' Rodgers said. “If we were better offensively, this wouldn't happen. I think it puts a spotlight on us. It's our responsibility to do this now. We owe each other I have to take responsibility and I have to raise my level of play to the standard that I set during training camp.”
Multiple sources stand by Rodgers' statement that he had no role in team owner Woody Johnson's decision to fire Saleh.
A source said Thursday that Mr. Rogers was genuinely upset about the decision.
Rodgers did not publicly criticize Johnson's decision Thursday, but he felt very badly that he did not play well, which led to Interim Manager Jeff Ulbrich replacing Saleh this week. He said he was connected.
“I take it very personally. It's something I can control. I have the ball in my hands on every play,” Rodgers said. “I'm sure that's been on my mind with a heavy heart over the past few days. Just like in life, each choice you make or don't make comes with opportunities and choices. Yes, there's a parallel universe. It's the same in this business, where you can make this pitch, you can make that pitch, you're sitting 4-1, and we're not here right now. ”
Rodgers, who was limited in Thursday's practice because of a sprained ankle sustained in London, has played below expectations this year, especially over the past two weeks.
The offense wasn't doing well and that was a big reason why Saleh was fired.
Rodgers has experienced mid-season coaching changes before.
The Packers fired Mike McCarthy in 2018 and replaced him with Joe Philbin with four games left in the season.
Rogers said this time feels different because of the timing.
“That's five games in. We've got 12 games left. We have everything in front of us,” Rodgers said. “This week's win puts us in a very good position in our division. A district championship is our first entrance into the playoff format. We have a lot to play for.”
