Aaron Rodgers makes honest admission over role in New York Jets coach being fired

The New York Jets made the decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh after the team's 2-3 start to the 2024 season - and Aaron Rodgers says it's his fault

New York Jets star Aaron Rodgers has confessed that head coach Robert Saleh might still have his job if he had kicked off the 2024 season on a high note after recovering from his season-ending Achilles injury.

Saleh was shown the door after last weekend's loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, which saw the Jets' record this season plummet to 2-3. This is Rodgers' first full season as a Jet following his headline-grabbing trade from his longtime team, the Green Bay Packers, last year.

The 40-year-old sustained a 2023 season-ending injury just four snaps into his Jets debut against the Buffalo Bills. This season, Rodgers has had a tough time, throwing seven touchdown passes but also throwing four interceptions.

The Jets have been pinning their hopes on Rodgers to lead them to their first postseason appearance since 2010. However, the current trend this season suggests the franchise will be waiting another year.

Saleh was escorted out of the Jets facility earlier this week and rumours were swirling that Rodgers played a role in the head coach's dismissal. Rodgers put those rumours to rest during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

He also conceded that if he had started the season well, Saleh would likely still be in a job. The Jets' struggles in 2024 have been on the offensive side of the ball, while their defence has helped keep games close, including the defeat to the Vikings in London, where they lost by six points.

Rodgers has taken responsibility for his role in the Minnesota Vikings' defeat, blaming his own performance after throwing a third interception in the fourth quarter which ultimately cost the New York Jets the game.

He reflected, "If I play better, this doesn't happen," concerning the recent team changes and how they reflect on those involved.

"When you make a change on the offense, it is a mirror held up for all of us that played. When something like this happens, it is a reset for everybody.

"We all feel terrible about the opportunity that we had, that we squandered, that led to Robert getting fired and Jeff (Ulbrich) getting promoted. If I play better, this doesn't happen. If we play better on offense, this doesn't happen.

"It puts the spotlight on us and now it is on us to do this. We have to be accountable to each other. We have got to raise the level of our play to the standard that we set in training camp."

In the wake of recent events, Jeff Ulbrich will assume temporary leadership of the Jets, who are set to face the Buffalo Bills in an upcoming Monday Night Football showdown.