Aaron Rodgers is a member of the New York Jets. The Packers and New York Jets finalized their trade just a few days before the start of the 2023 NFL Draft. That also means the Jordan Love era is fully underway in Green Bay. Both quarterbacks showed up for voluntary off-season workouts and both seem to be excited about their opportunities in 2023. Before, during, and after the trade there were many reports made about Aaron Rodgers’ “wish list” of players he wanted to team up with in 2023. It would appear that the Jets have signed many of those players. Today, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh opened up about said wish list.
New York Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh Opens Up About Aaron Rodgers Wish List
According to Daniel Chavkin of Sports Illustrated:
Since the end of the NFL draft, the New York Jets added two veterans that played with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay: long-time Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb and veteran offensive tackle Billy Turner. The additions have once again reignited the idea that Rodgers gave the Jets a “wish list” of additions ahead of the trade.
When speaking with the media, coach Robert Saleh brushed aside the “wish list” narrative, arguing that new offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who previously held the same position with the Packers, has history with these players as well.
“I’m going to try and say this as respectfully as I can, I’m not attacking anyone, I do think it’s a silly narrative,” he said. “There’s 32 teams in the NFL. It’s common practice for, when you have a new coaching staff, that you surround those people with people they are familiar with.”
Saleh explained that since he first arrived in New York two years ago, he’s brought in many players that he’s coached before to help accelerate the learning curve for the rest of the team.
Now that Hackett is in his first year as offensive coordinator, Saleh says he lobbied for guys like Cobb, Turner and Allen Lazard that he coached previously. Saleh also mentioned the Buccaneers bringing in Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown once Tom Brady arrived.
In Saleh’s first few practices with Rodgers, he’s had nothing but praise for the quarterback, calling him another coach on the field.
“I’ve never been around a quarterback quite like him,” Saleh said.
Full video below:
#Jets HC Robert Saleh had some thoughts on the Aaron Rodgers’ (@AaronRodgers12) wish list narrative, ‘I’m going to try & say this as respectfully as I can, I’m not attacking anyone, I do think it’s a silly narrative’ + ‘I think it’s tired’ 😳 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/aZoRqIUVsg
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 5, 2023
The fact that the New York Jets and Robert Saleh continue to dismiss the notion that they haven’t considered Aaron Rodgers wish-list in their free agency plans is a little ridiculous. Nathaniel Hackett, Allen Lazard, Billy Turner, and Randall Cobb have all been added to the Jets team this off-season. All guys that Aaron Rodgers has said he wants to play with. It seems the only one who is missing is tight end Marcedes Lewis, however, he has said he won’t be joining the Jets this off-season.
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