In what appeared to be a brief moment of tension, the New York Jets’ sidelines saw an unusual interaction between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh during their comfortable 24–3 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.
The moment unfolded shortly after Jets running back Breece Hall scored a touchdown, pushing New York to a 14–0 lead in the second quarter. As Rodgers approached Saleh, the coach seemed ready for a celebratory hug, but the quarterback pushed him away, offering a stern look before heading back to the bench.
Speculation quickly arose about potential friction between the two. However, both Rodgers and Saleh were quick to dispel any concerns post-game, clarifying the playful nature of the interaction.
“Awkward? No, it wasn’t awkward at all,” Rodgers explained when asked about the encounter. “He’s not usually a big hugger, so I didn’t know he was going for the hug. He’s more of a two-hand chest push guy. But he always talks about getting a two-score lead. So, I just gave him a push and said, ‘Two-score lead.’ That’s all it was.”
Saleh echoed Rodgers’ sentiment, emphasizing that the exchange was far from confrontational. “We’ve been focusing on getting the defense a two-score lead,” Saleh said. “When we finally had it, I think Aaron was just reminding me of that.”
Jets fans can rest easy knowing there’s no underlying rift between their star quarterback and head coach. In fact, both were focused on the same goal: maintaining the lead and securing the win.
The Jets’ defense played a significant role in protecting that two-score lead, limiting the Patriots to just 139 total yards and three points. On offense, Rodgers had a strong showing, completing 27 of 35 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns, leading New York to their second win of the season.
After a challenging 2023 season marred by injuries and setbacks, the Jets are showing early signs of improvement. While the team works out any quirks in its touchdown celebrations, Rodgers and Saleh are clearly on the same page as they look ahead to the rest of the season.