Does Robert Saleh blame Jets' Aaron Rodgers for firing?

Outsiders continue to believe that New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was at least somewhat responsible for team owner Woody Johnson firing head coach Robert Saleh coming off New York's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London on Oct. 6.

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN, Saleh doesn't share such opinions.

"On the plane ride home from London, Saleh and Rodgers exchanged several texts, according to team sources. The texts were described as positive, a back-and-forth of ideas on ways to improve the offense," Cimini revealed in a piece published Monday. "On Tuesday morning, they spoke for about five minutes at the facility after Saleh was fired. On Wednesday, Saleh reached out to Rodgers to continue the conversation and they talked for another 30 minutes. Saleh doesn't believe Rodgers influenced ownership's decision, according to sources close to the situation."

Rumors about supposed issues between Rodgers and Saleh surfaced before the Jets fell to 2-3 on the season and before Saleh reportedly decided to replace offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers' friend and OC with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-21, with quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Todd Down ing as the team's offensive play-caller. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich ultimately made that exact move and seemingly had Rodgers' blessing to do so.

Rodgers insisted he had nothing to do with Johnson's decision.

Also on Monday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared that "Saleh’s relationships in the (Jets) building remain strong" after it was said last week that the team’s vibes were "off" following the Minnesota game. Meanwhile, Cimini added that "Saleh didn't lose the locker room" even though he went 20-36 with zero playoff appearances as Jets head coach from 2021 through the first Sunday of October.

Certain fans, analysts and other members of the NFL community will continue to believe Rodgers probably could have saved Saleh's job but didn't for whatever reasons. The future Hall of Famer will need to push such potential distractions out of his mind as he, Downing and Ulbrich work to turn New York's season around beginning with Monday's prime-time home game against the 3-2 Buffalo Bills.

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Gang Green as a one-point underdog against Buffalo.