New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has come out to defend the team’s newest signing at quarterback, calling the story about wishlist Aaron Rodgers a “silly one” just 10 days after the 39-year-old was traded from the Green Bay Packers.
Since the end of the NFL draft, the Jets have added two veterans who played with the 2011 Super Bowl (XLV) champion in Green Bay: wide receiver Randall Cobb and offensive tackle Billy Turner.
In addition, Allen Lazard, who also caught several passes from Rodgers during their time with the Packers, signed with New York ahead of the four-time MVP’s mega-trade on April 24.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Saleh dismissed the media’s story that the Jets’ new number 8 had terms before signing with “Gang Green.”
“I’m going to try to say this as respectfully as possible, I’m not attacking anyone, I think it’s a stupid story,” said the 44-year-old. There are 32 teams in the NFL. It’s common when you have a new coaching staff that you surround those people with people they know.’
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh called it “common” to reunite new players with familiar places they’ve played with
The Jets have recruited at least four players who have played with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay this offseason
“I had a wish list — Solomon Thomas, Marcell Harris, DJ Reed, Kwon Alexander — guys I’ve worked with who were very familiar with our messages, very familiar with our plan, who can come and play. We had it on the offensive with Laeken Tomlinson, Tevin Coleman and guys who have been in the system.
“Shoot, Tom Brady goes to Tampa and he gets [Rob] Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. So it’s quite common for new faces to want old faces — to come in and speed up the installation of a program.’
In addition, Saleh added that the Jets’ new offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett, also has a say in the recruiting process, not just Rodgers. The duo made a deadly offense in Green Bay before joining Jets third-year head coach at Florham Park this spring.
“Everything is pinned on the quarterback — it’s not just him,” Saleh said.
“Hackett has something to say about it. He loves Lazard, loves Randall, took Billy Turner to Denver and wanted him here [New York]. So naturally you’re going to surround a coach with people he thinks can plant the flag.
“So that whole story of whatever people try to put on the quarterback, I think it’s tired.”
Rodgers will again play with Billy Turner and Allen Lazard at Florham Park after taking the field with the pair in Green Bay, Michigan
Another wide receiver Rodgers will play with in New Jersey is Randall Cobb, an ex-Packer
The Jets are now rumored to be interested in signing Packers tight end Marcedes Lewis
Immediately after defending the Jets’ recruiting process, Saleh was asked if the team planned to sign Marcedes Lewis, who also played with Rodgers at Green Bay.
“You never know,” said the American-Lebanese head coach. “In the end, the best 53 will be on the football team,” he added.
And then the best 11 are on the football field when it’s time to break the ball. But at the same time, the reason we’re excited to bring those guys is because they stand for everything we believe in.
“Look at Allen Lazard, he came in as an undrafted free agent and he has all these incredible abilities and he made himself. Randall has such an amazing amount of experience. Billy Turner has so much experience. But they are internally driven individuals who just want to win football games. And they love the game of football.
“And it’s like, why not enlist them to help speed up and plant the flag and repeat the message that Nathaniel and his staff are trying to get across?”