The New York Jets continue to add former teammates from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the list, but head coach Robert Saleh thinks the wish-list narrative is getting a bit exhausting.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Saleh said it is common practice for coaches to bring in players they are familiar with.
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh attends a press conference to introduce Aaron Rodgers as the new New York Jets quarterback at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on April 26, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)
«I’m going to try to say this with as much respect as possible. I’m not attacking anyone,» Saleh told reporters Friday, according to NFL Network. «It’s just that I think it’s a silly narrative regarding wish lists, and I say that because there are 32 teams in the NFLand it is a common practice for when there are changes when you have a new coaching staff.
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«When you have people going into it, you surround those people with people they’re familiar with. I had a wish list. There’s Soloman Thomas, Marcell Harris, DJ Reed, Kwon Alexander. Guys I’ve worked with who are very familiar with our messaging, very familiar with our scheme, who can come in and play.»
On Wednesday, the Jets signed the veteran wide receiver Randall Cobbformer teammate and good friend of Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers, #12, and Randall Cobb, #18, of the Green Bay Packers walk off the field after losing to the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Patricio McDermott/Getty Images)
Cobb joins former Packers Allen Lazzard, Billy Turner and Tim Boyle in New York.
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The Jets also have a new offensive coordinator in Nathaniel Hackettwho coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2019 to 2021.
«Shoot, Tom Brady goes to Tampa, and gets [Rob] Gronkowski and Antonio Brown,” Saleh said. “So it’s very common for new faces to want old faces. Being able to jump in and help speed up the isolation of a program. And it’s not just that everything is being blamed on the quarterback. It’s not just him.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers answers questions during an NFL football introductory news conference Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Florham Park, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
«Hackett has something to say about that. He loves Lazard, he loves Randall. He took Billy Turner with him to Denver, he wanted him here in Green Bay, so of course you’re going to surround a coach with people that he feels will be able to to plant the flags. So, you know, all that narrative of what people are trying to put on the quarterback, I think it’s tired, but it’s common practice in the NFL.»
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The Jets traded for Rodgers after Second overall pick in the 2021 draft Zach Wilson took a big step back in his second season.
It is expected to break New York’s 12-year playoff drought.