Much of the conversation coming out of the premiere of Hard Knocks was the power structure of the Jets, with Aaron Rodgers taking a prominent leadership role.
Some expressed concern that Rodgers could water down heach coach Robert Saleh’s influence in the locker room and on the sidelines, but Saleh says Rodgers’ leadership is a huge asset for himself and his team.
“I’ve said it a million times,” Saleh told Joe, Evan, and Shaun at Jets training camp. “The best coaches teams in the world are the teams that can coach themselves. It’s where the locker room can take car of itself, and I can just focus on football.
“I will got to Aaron and say ‘Hey Aaron, can you go put your arm around somebody?’ and he wants to do it.”
Saleh also noted how Rodgers has a wealth of football knowledge that is rare given his time in the league, as he was drafted in 2005, when Saleh experienced the NFL for the first time.
“He’s almost 39 years old,” Saleh said. “He and I came in the league the same year. He was drafted, and I was an intern with the Texans. His knowledge of football…anyone who doesn’t think he doesn’t have a wealth of knowledge is crazy...he’s like the last of the player-coaches.
“If I’m gonna lean on him, I’m absolutely gonna lean on him.”
As for potentially being uncomfortable with disciplining Rodgers given his standing in the locker room and his career resume, Saleh says that won’t be a problem either.
“You can hold people accountable and in high regard at the same time,” Saleh said. “I think the perception of ‘I coach, you play, shut the f up, know your role,’ it’s archaic. We’re a team. It’s not a coaches and players division. We’re all in this together. Because, at the end of the day, if we don’t win, we all get fired.”
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