New York Jets HC Robert Saleh balked at the notion that New York had bent over backward and fulfilling every request on Aaron Rodgers’ wish list prior to trading for the veteran star.
Per ESPN’s Diana Russini in mid-March, the four-time MVP had given New York a wish list of players, which Rodgers denied at the time. The list included receivers Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard, both of whom the Jets signed in free agency. They also added former Packers tackle Billy Turner and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.
Saleh remains adamant that New York meeting Rodgers’ reported demands is a nonsense storyline and that bringing in familiar faces is typical.
“I do think it’s a silly narrative with regards to a wish list,” Saleh said in a Friday news conference. “And it’s common practice when there are changes when you are having a new coaching staff when you have people coming in that you surround those people with people they’re familiar with.”
It’s not unusual to see teams bring in personnel whom star players know and get along with, especially when it is for a veteran QB with a Super Bowl ring, such as Rodgers. In a similar (if not exact) situation, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers added former Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski after they signed Tom Brady in 2020. It worked since the pair had great chemistry and the Buccaneers ultimately won Super Bowl LVI.
Rodgers’ asks could wield more influence than Brady’s, though, because the Jets brought in multiple teammates in rapid fashion, some of whom might not be impact players.
The Jets signing Cobb surprises, for instance, because he’s exiting his prime at 32 years old, has not recorded more than 35 receptions over the past two seasons and does not project for significant targets with Garrett Wilson and Mecole Hardman Jr. already pacing the wide receivers room.
Per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Rodgers said, “I want to play with the Randall Cobbs of the world,” during a January appearance on the Pat McAfee show.
The Jets are desperate to find a franchise QB who can lift them to their first Super Bowl in over 50 years and New York letting Rodgers have a say in some roster decisions makes sense, even if all involved continue to deny that there was any official wish list in place.
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