Everything Aaron Rodgers said on Pat McAfee about Robert Saleh getting fired

Since New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh was fired on Tuesday, questions, rumors and narratives have been asked, hypothesized and written about the events leading up to the decision by Woody Johnson.

Many of those narratives being written have included the likes of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and whether he had any hand in the firing of Saleh.

Was it Rodgers' preference for Saleh to be let go? Did Johnson talk to him before making the decision? What was the real problem with the team leading up to this news?

What's the deal with his relationship with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and did it come into play at all, here? How does the team look like under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich?

All of these are sentiments and questions being asked by fans and media, and Rodgers decided to come right out and address them all the very next day after Saleh's firing. In a regular appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Wednesday, Rodgers revealed it all.

Here are all of the notable and newsworthy things Rodgers said during his time on the air.

Everything Aaron Rodgers said about Jets firing Robert

On the criticism that he didn't have a good relationship with Robert Saleh
On whether he had anything to do with the Jets firing Robert Saleh
On whether or not Woody Johnson called him before firing Robert Saleh
On whether Saleh, and everyone else in the building, was blindsided about the firing
On his relationship with Nathaniel Hackett in all of this and his rumored job security going forward
On his belief in Jeff Ulbrich and the opportunity before him
On how the players take responsibility for Saleh's firing
On what he'd like to say to Robert Saleh in the moment
On whether he feels he needs to defend himself during times like these

On the criticism that he didn't have a good relationship with Robert Saleh

"I love coach Saleh. We have a very solid relationship, we have since I met him in 2021. Had a nice conversation when they came and visited us for joint practices. He was a big reason why I came to the Jets ... I really liked coach Saleh; everything Matt LaFleur said about him, the few interactions I've had, the times we went against him ... I just had a lot of respect for him," Rodgers said.

The quarterback went on a rather emotional tangent, as well, affirming his love for not only Saleh but his family, too.

"What people can forget in this is, not only is Robert a fantastic human being and a damn good football coach, he's also a family man. He's got seven kids. He's got an incredible wife.

"Anybody who's championing this decision (to fire Saleh), I would just appeal to the humanity of the situation and remind you, there's other people involved ... Adam (Saleh's son) has to go to school this week ... there's a lot of things involved in this."

On whether he had anything to do with the Jets firing Robert Saleh

"As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I'm not going to spend more than one sentence on in response to it, and that is that I resent any of those accusations because they are patently false."

Rodgers noted that people might think he has some pull within the organization, but he really doesn't.

"It's interesting the amount of power people think that I have, which I don't ... I love Robert. And it was one of those days, yesterday."

On whether or not Woody Johnson called him before firing Robert Saleh

"Yeah, I did talk to Woody. Woody called me on Monday night, we had a short conversation. I appreciated the call, it was a genuine call and he just asked me how I was doing. I got rolled up on in the game and, you know, my ankle got pretty banged up. So he just called and asking how I was doing."

According to Rodgers, this was a very routine phone call is if a friend was calling to check in.

"We talked about the game and how disappointed I was in my performance, and that I'm going to play better, and that we're going to get this thing turned around, and then we hung up. To that point, you know, Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are."

On whether Saleh, and everyone else in the building, was blindsided about the firing

"I was in the training room doing rehab ... it was one of those situations like in John Wick, where John Wick becomes ex-comunicado and everyone's phones start vibrating.

"There was a lot of conversations that happened after that ... listen, football is a family atmosphere ... Everybody was feeling for Robert and worried about him."

On his relationship with Nathaniel Hackett in all of this and his rumored job security going forward

"Our relationship is great. It always has been and always will be. I think there was going to be some things that needed to change, regardless of what happened to Robert ... we just haven't been playing consistent football on offense. As we know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results."

Noting that things needed changing, Rodgers is in support of Hackett but also new interim coach Jeff Ulbrich's decision-making.

"When you have a couple games when you don't play very efficiently, you got to adjust some things ... I know there's a lot of things that were swirling out there ... Ulbrich and I have talked a couple of times and I'm on board with whatever he decides."

On his belief in Jeff Ulbrich and the opportunity before him

"'Out of deference and respect to Robert, it's not going to be wholesale changes, I don't think. But, Brich's going to add his own style to it. He does a great job with the defense. I've gone against him over the years in different coaching capacities. I believe we were both playing at the same time, too."

Rodgers had some extra time to get to know Ulbrich last year as he was rehabbing his Achilles injury.

"I really enjoyed getting to know him last year, especially in the offseason, spending time with him. He's got an incredible family as well. I expect a steady hand from him and great leadership ... I think he's going to do a great job," Rodgers finished.

On how the players take responsibility for Saleh's firing

"We need, as players, to take accountability for what's happened. I guess the thing that hits you in the moment, too, is if I had played better on Sunday, this doesn't happen."

In a way, Rodgers was taking some of the responsibility for Saleh's exit. It was a sobering moment on the show for those watching.

"As someone who takes a lot of pride in their performance, that was the main sentiment for me yesterday ... the disappointment of poor play that could've avoided the situation.

"It's a good perspective moment for us to reset," Rodgers noted.

"I think this is a great learning experience for all of our players young and old.

"I think it's important that we stick together and give ourselves a chance at making a run."

On what he'd like to say to Robert Saleh in the moment

"To finish this, I think I just want to say first of all, thank you to Robert. Thanks for bringing me in and getting on board with that ... I'm thankful for Robert.

"I'm thankful for his leadership for our team. I'm thankful for the conversations we were able to have and him trusting me, and the way he cared about his players ... big love out to his family, wife, kids ... just remember, there's a human side to this. There's a family, an extended family that's hurting."

On whether he feels he needs to defend himself during times like these

"When it comes to me, I don't feel like I need to defend myself ... there's always going to be narratives out there about what I think and how much power I have, and how much influence I have. It's not something I worry about. It's really not.

"I care about my teammates. I care about winning. I'm accountable to myself and my organization, my teammates ... I gotta play better, and I will," Rodgers affirmed.

Overall, it was an eye-opening interview for anyone who had previously criticized Rodgers or may have preconceived notions about how he operates. It's one thing to hide behind a keyboard or be relatively unavailable to the media, but it's another thing to come right out and be an open target like Rodgers was.

He addressed every question and concern as honestly as he possibly could and, to be frank, he came across as a genuine human being.

You can watch the full interview here.