Aaron Rodgers Upset with Robert Saleh over 'Unexcused' Comments

It sounds like everything wasn't so great within the New York Jets' organization after their superstar quarterback was upset with their head coach over some comments he made earlier in the offseason.
Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) behind Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium
Aug 12, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) behind Robert Saleh on the sidelines in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
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There was ton of positive momentum surrounding the New York Jets heading into the year.

The front office upgraded multiple positions of need, they had a fantastic draft that gave them impact players who could immediately help this time while also planning for the future, and their superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers was back and looking healthy.

All of the frustrations that were present during the last campaign were seemingly wiped away over this offseason as the Jets look like legitimate threats to win the AFC East and make a playoff run for the first time in over a decade.

Unfortunately, like it has so often with New York over the years, things went off the rails.

After everything was kumbaya during voluntary workouts, that quickly changed when Rodgers missed mandatory minicamp with his trip to Egypt which became the talking point of NFL media across the country.

Questions about his leadership and commitment to this team were the basis of the criticism that became personal insults when he was being labeled selfish.

Rodgers is no stranger to that type of rhetoric, so it likely didn't bother him much, but it was another distraction that could have been avoided.

Still, things seemed to be fine when head coach Robert Saleh said everything is all good between the organization and their star quarterback, and even though he missed mandatory minicamp, they understood his reasoning.

So while the noise was loud outside, inside the locker room everything looked OK.

Well maybe that isn't the case after all.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, "Rodgers went to Saleh after that to question why he would call it unexcused" since this was something the coach and organization knew about prior to the future Hall of Famer leaving for his trip.

Russini adds that "everyone's great now" after the two ironed things out, but that is not something the Jets needed during this time when everything seemed to be going in the right direction.

What happens after this will be interesting to monitor.

New York was reportedly looking to replace offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett this offseason, someone who is very close with Rodgers.

If things don't go as expected early this year, the relationship between Saleh and Rodgers will be something to keep an eye on.


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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently is the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. He is also a contributor at FanSided, writing about the Philadelphia 76ers for The Sixers Sense. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai