Aaron Rodgers sends a message to Robert Saleh after getting fired by Jets

After the NY Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh, conspiracies as to why he was let go started popping up like wildfire. The fact that Aaron Rodgers is still in place and much-maligned offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was not relieved of his duties has many wondering if Rodgers decided to put the hit out on Saleh.

The Jets have given Rodgers whatever he wanted over the last two years, including coaches like Hackett and familiar surrounding faces like Tim Boyle and Randall Cobb. Even with insiders saying Rodgers had nothing to do with this decision, Rodgers had to deny the rumors.

As many expected, Rodgers went on Pat McAfee's show on Wednesday to dispel some of the rumors and give his thoughts on the firing. Because Rodgers isn't dumb enough to say he took Saleh out as part of a power play, Rodgers was very complimentary of the time he spent with Saleh in New York.

Rodgers was thankful for Saleh bringing him to New York, saying that he cares about his players. However, he seemed to imply that Saleh is in the past and that the Jets need to stick together. The sentiment of "good coordinator, bad head coach" continues to persist.

Aaron Rodgers has message for Robert Saleh after NY Jets firing

Saleh is a defensive coach, and he held up his end of the bargain on defense. The Jets ranked as the best team in the league in terms of EPA per play and points per drive when he was in charge despite playing multiple Day 3 draft picks in prominent roles. Saleh was a great developer of defense and identifier of talent.

His issue was getting the offense right, as the Jets have scored the fewest points in the league during the last four seasons. The question, however, is how much influence Saleh really had over this unit.

Amid reports that Saleh did not want to get rid of Mike LaFleur and hire Hackett, is it fair to say that Saleh was not totally in charge of what was going on in New York? Saleh only got five full starts with Rodgers, but he had 39 with either Zach Wilson, Trevor Siemian, or Tim Boyle under center.

No matter what the reason behind his firing was, Saleh is no longer in the building. Rodgers better take to Jeff Ulbrich's coaching, or things could get very messy.

Or messier than they already are.

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