Stephen A. Smith wasn’t entirely convinced by Aaron Rodgers’ explanation regarding the firing of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. The day after Saleh was dismissed, Rodgers made his regular appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he vehemently denied having any role in the decision to part ways with the coach.
Rodgers called the speculation about his involvement “ridiculous” and “patently false,” insisting that while he had spoken with Jets owner Woody Johnson on Monday night, the conversation didn’t touch on Saleh’s job status. According to Rodgers, the call was focused on his health after he had suffered an ankle injury in the previous game.
“It was a genuine call,” Rodgers said to McAfee. “He just asked me how I was doing. Obviously, I got rolled up on in the game. My ankle got pretty banged up, so he was just calling and asking how I was doing.”
However, on Thursday’s episode of First Take, Stephen A. Smith expressed skepticism, suggesting that Rodgers might not be telling the full story. Smith questioned whether Rodgers was being completely honest about the nature of his conversation with Johnson before Saleh’s firing became official.
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“If you’re Aaron Rodgers, yeah, you didn’t go into the office and say, ‘I want him fired,’” Smith said, according to Awful Announcing. “You didn’t go into the office and say, ‘I want him out.’ That may be true… But don’t act like you are completely oblivious to what was going on, what the tenor of the situation was like, how things were eroding before our very eyes.”
Smith pointed out the improbability of Rodgers and Johnson only discussing the quarterback’s ankle injury and their families following New York’s second straight loss, and he cast doubt on Rodgers’ claims that the firing wasn’t part of their conversation.
“Just stop that nonsense. It’s amazing how it’s so difficult for folks to just simply tell the truth,” Smith continued. “There are plenty of decisions that bosses make that we have nothing to do with and we have no part of. That’s true. But in the same breath, it’s not like we’re completely oblivious and not cognizant of what the h*ll is going on.”
For Smith, the idea that Rodgers had no awareness of Saleh’s job security being in jeopardy didn’t hold water. He argued that Rodgers, as one of the most prominent figures on the team, would at least be aware of the instability surrounding the head coach.
“And when Aaron Rodgers tried to give that impression, that’s when I think the believability factor went out the window,” Smith concluded.
Later in the day, Smith continued his criticism of the Jets’ handling of the coaching situation, particularly their decision to relieve offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of play-calling duties. Hackett, a longtime friend and confidant of Rodgers, remained on the staff but was stripped of a significant portion of his responsibilities.
Smith called it a “joke” that Hackett wasn’t dismissed outright, despite the offensive struggles under his guidance.
Smith’s critique echoed the sentiment of many fans and analysts who have questioned whether Rodgers wields too much influence within the Jets organization.
As the team navigates its rocky season, with coaching changes and on-field challenges, the dynamic between Rodgers and the front office will remain a point of intrigue.
Whether or not Rodgers had a direct hand in Saleh’s firing, Smith believes there’s more to the story than the quarterback is letting on.
