On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers let the world know Friday that he doesn't like the way his relationship with coach Robert Saleh is being portrayed back home.
Rodgers' comments came in response to a question about whether he has discussed the cadence controversy with Saleh. It was sparked after last week's 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos, a game in which the Jets committed five false-start penalties.
Saleh, in his postgame news conference, suggested they might have to examine whether to scale back Rodgers' sophisticated cadence -- one of the hallmarks of his game. The next day, Saleh backtracked, claiming his remarks were misconstrued by the media. By then, Rodgers already had made it clear his cadence wasn't the issue.
On Friday, Rodgers stuck to the company line, saying Saleh's postgame answer "maybe didn't actually reflect his feelings. Cadence has been a weapon. I think he kind of went in and got a chance Monday to respond to all that."
Saleh, for his part, said his relationship with Rodgers is "fantastic. Love the guy."
The Jets (2-2) have reached a pivotal juncture in their season, and now they're dealing with the Davante Adams trade rumors. The Las Vegas Raiders reportedly are open to trading Adams, with ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting Wednesday that Adams would like to play with a quarterback he knows -- either Rodgers or Derek Carr of the New Orleans Saints.
"I don't know how much I can say about him, but I still have a close friendship with him," said Rodgers, mindful of potential tampering violations. "We spend time in the offseason together. He's a great guy and a great player and the rest of that is out of my hands."
Rodgers and Adams spent eight seasons together with the Green Bay Packers, forming one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterback-receiver tandems. The Jets have three experienced receivers in Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Mike Williams, but they're believed to have interest in Adams.
"Yeah, that'd be cool," Wilson said of a potential Adams trade. "I feel like it's cool if we get him up here. Like I always say, if it helps us win, let's do it."
The Jets are in win-now mode, facing huge expectations, and ownership could be getting antsy.
"Pressure? In New York?" Saleh said with a smile, drawing laughs from the British media. "You could be an expansion team, and it's the same amount of pressure. It doesn't matter. You have to win. It's New York; the expectation is to win. When you win, you're going to the Super Bowl. When you lose, fire everybody."
The Cadence Controversy
The relationship between Jets head coach Robert Saleh and quarterback Aaron Rodgers came under greater attention after last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos.
The Jets committed a number of pre-snap penalties in that game and Saleh suggested in his postgame press conference that Rodgers’s cadence, which he uses to try to draw defenses offside, might have been part of the reason. Rodgers disagreed and Saleh clarified his comments on Monday by saying that the team would still be employing it in the future.
Rodgers said earlier this week that he and Saleh have a strong relationship and reiterated that in a press conference from London on Sunday. Rodgers also suggested that there are those outside the organization who have an interest in creating a rift between the two men.
“I think there’s some driving force trying to put a wedge [from] outside the facility between Robert and I,” Rodgers said. “We’re really good friends. We enjoy each other. We spend time almost every day in his office talking about things and talking about the energy of the team, focus of the team. What we need to get done, how I can help him out, how he can help me out. So we’ve got a great relationship.”
Quiet the Noise with a Win
Saleh’s comments on the cadence were brought up on his own and it was notable given Rodgers’s prominent role on the team, so it’s more than a stretch to say that anything over the last few days was orchestrated by any outside forces. Whatever the cause, the easiest way to quiet things down will be to beat the Vikings on Sunday.
Doubts Remain
Despite Rodgers' insistence, there are some who still believe that the relationship between the quarterback and his coach might be strained. Reports of Rodgers not embracing Saleh after a win over the Patriots and Fitzpatrick’s social media post, which showed Rodgers seemingly rejecting a hug from Saleh, have fueled speculation.
It remains to be seen whether the Jets can turn things around, but one thing is certain: the relationship between Rodgers and Saleh will continue to be scrutinized.
The Jets are looking to avoid the “napping” commute this time around.
The Jets' London trip in 2021 was marred by a long commute to the stadium that led to several players falling asleep on the bus. The Jets went on to lose to the Falcons, but Saleh is confident that the team will be more prepared this time around.
“We’re not doing that commute,” Saleh said. “The science says don’t nap, and that was a recipe for napping.”
What’s at Stake for the Jets
With a record of 2-2, the Jets are “in the thick of it” and at a turning point, according to Saleh. “This is the part of the season where teams start figuring out exactly who they are. You’re either climbing up the hill or staying at the bottom.”
The Jets haven’t won a lot — but that’s still the goal for a team that has missed the postseason the last 13 years.
“You’ve got to win — it’s New York,” Saleh said. “The expectation is to win. When you win, you’re going to the Super Bowl. When you lose, fire everybody. That’s the world we live in, that’s the world we embrace.
“We’re made for it, we’re built for it.”
The Jets will be hoping to end their losing streak and get their season back on track when they take on the Vikings in London on Sunday.
