Aaron Rodgers’ regret in aftermath of Robert Saleh’s firing

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers admits he had a role in Robert Saleh getting fired. It’s just not what the conspiracy theorists think.

Rodgers said Thursday he has been thinking about how if he played better in the first five games of the season, Saleh would still be the head coach and Nathaniel Hackett would still be calling plays.

“We all feel terrible about the opportunity that we had, that we squandered that led to Robert getting fired and Hack getting demoted. If I play better, this doesn’t happen,” Rodgers said. “If we’re better on offense, this doesn’t happen. I think it puts a spotlight on us. Now it’s on us to do this. We need to be accountable to each other, and we’ve got to raise the level of play to the standard that we set during training camp.”

Multiple sources back what Rodgers has said about him not having any input into the decision by team owner Woody Johnson to fire Saleh.

One source said Thursday that Rodgers was genuinely upset about the decision.

Rodgers would not publicly criticize the decision by Johnson on Thursday, but he said he feels badly he has not played well and that led to Saleh being replaced by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich this week.

“I take that very personally. That’s what I can control. I have the ball in my hands every play,” Rodgers said. “Obviously, it’s been on my mind with a heavy heart for the last few days, for sure. Just as in life, there are opportunities and choices and parallel universes with each choice you make or didn’t make. It’s the same thing with this business — you make this throw, make that throw, you’re sitting at 4-1 and we’re not here right now.”

Rodgers, who was limited in practice Thursday with the sprained ankle he suffered in London, has played below expectations this year, particularly in the past two weeks.

The offense has sputtered, and that was a big reason Saleh was fired.

Rodgers has experienced an in-season coaching change before.

The Packers fired Mike McCarthy in 2018 and replaced him with Joe Philbin, but that was with four games left in the season.

Rodgers said this one feels different because of the timing.

“This is five games in. We have 12 games left. We have everything right in front of us,” Rodgers said. “A win this week puts us in a really good spot in our division. Winning the division is the first entrance into the playoff format. There’s a lot to play for.”