Jets’ Robert Saleh questions skeptics by writing team ‘obituary’ amid Aaron Rodgers injury
Despite their victory in Monday’s game against their division rival, the New York Jets’ locker room was largely dark. The Jets’ big offseason acquisition, Aaron Rodgers, was removed from the bench after being on the field for just four snaps in his Gang Green debut.
An MRI reportedly confirmed Rodgers’ Achilles was torn. Zach Wilson, drafted by the Jets in the first round just over two years ago, stepped in and finished the game in Rodgers’ absence. While it’s unclear if the Jets will stick with Wilson the rest of the way, the team will certainly face its share of doubters moving forward.
However, Jets head coach Robert Saleh remains convinced that the 2023 season is far from over.
“I don’t know why people are trying to put an obituary on our team’s name,” Saleh said Tuesday.
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New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, #2, and New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh before the National Football League game between the New York Jets and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2022 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Jets’ third-year coach acknowledged that while Rodgers is a vital part of the team, there are other players on the roster who are more than capable of contributing.
“Aaron is an incredible part of this, and we love him, but there are 52 other guys in the locker room plus 16 guys on the practice squad who believe we can do a lot of good things here,” did he declare. .
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The Jets defense features All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner and others.
“We have a championship-caliber defense, we have some very talented guys on the offensive side of the ball. Our O-line is going to continue to get stronger and better. But we’re excited about our group. “I’ve been working hard at over the last two years, players, coaches, scouts, general manager, to build a pretty cool organization. So there’s still a lot of confidence in the locker room and the things we can still accomplish this year. So it’s while the outside “The world can go ahead and write whatever history it wants, but the real history is still being written in this building.”
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh works on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey . (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Saleh said he felt bad for Rodgers, but added the team wasn’t looking to have a pity party.
“I don’t look at it like ‘woe is me,’ here for the organization,” Saleh said Tuesday in a video call. “I think the guys are excited to be able to step up and continue the things we’ve built, but (we’re all) feeling really bad for Aaron.”
New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, #2, prepares to play the football during the fourth quarter of the NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Wilson finished Monday night’s game with 140 passing yards and a touchdown against an interception. Saleh made it clear that the Jets would be Wilson’s team to lead for the remainder of the season.
“We’ll look at everything,” Saleh said, “but in no way is this a competition. This is Zach’s team, and we’re riding with Zach.”
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Veteran quarterback Tim Boyle is expected to be elevated from the practice squad to the team’s active roster to back up Wilson this weekend for the game against the Dallas Cowboys.
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