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New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh offered an amusing explanation for the awkward moment on the sidelines with Aaron Rodgers in the second quarter of Thursday’s 24-3 win over the New England Patriots.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Saleh said their message to the offense all week had been to get to a two-point lead, and Rodgers “just wanted to see something on defense” once they achieved their goal.
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Robert Saleh was asked about his discussion with Aaron Rodgers on the sidelines in the second quarter: pic.twitter.com/nccNSuefmG
The two appeared to have a disagreement when Saleh went for a hug but Rodgers poked him in the chest after the Jets took a 14-0 lead on Breece Hall’s touchdown run.
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Aaron Rodgers on this moment between him and HC Robert Saleh:
“He’s just not a big hugger” 😅 pic.twitter.com/uQkiIVoQz3
Rodgers confirmed Saleh’s story during his post-game press conference, saying he “gave him a nudge and said, ‘Two points ahead.'”
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Aaron Rodgers was asked about his exchange with Robert Saleh in the second quarter:
“He talks a lot about a two-point lead. So I just gave him a nudge and said, ‘Two points ahead.'” pic.twitter.com/aE3MshPGFo
It is good that Rodgers and Saleh, after their strange public comments in the summer about the star quarterback’s absence from the mandatory minicamp due to a planned vacation.
More importantly for the Jets, however, Rodgers played his best game of the season against the Patriots. He finished the game completing 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time he threw for at least 200 yards since his last game with the Green Bay Packers on January 8, 2023.
The Jets have scored at least 24 points in two back-to-back games for the first time since a three-game series in Weeks 4-6 of the 2022 season.
New York has three additional days of rest before hosting the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in Week 4 on September 29.
