sport news New York Jets owner Woody Johnson denies claim he and head coach Robert Saleh ... trends now
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has denied NFL Network's reporting that he and head coach Robert Saleh had a heated discussion during the league meetings in Orlando earlier this week.
'All this nonsense about a heated argument between Coach Saleh and me at the League Meeting is absolutely false,' Johnson wrote on X. 'It is yet another irresponsible report from NFL Network. Please disregard.'
Host Colleen Wolfe made the claim during the Around the NFL podcast, saying the pair had a 'very heated conversation' on Monday.
'Maybe they were disagreeing on how they like their steak cooked,' Wolfe said. 'Doubt that though.'
Wolfe did walk back her initial claim, saying it wasn't an argument as much as it was a 'discussion.'
Aaron Rodgers is seen alongside Jets owner Woody Johnson and head coach Robert Saleh
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has denied NFL Network's reporting
'A little awkward,' she said, relaying information from a source. 'A little awkward.
'A lively conversation they were having,' she said. 'So, what was that about?'
Interestingly, Johnson is technically a part owner of NFL Network, which is controlled by the league.
Until the NFL Network report, things had been going quietly for the Jets this offseason, much to Saleh's delight.
'I think [general manager] Joe [Douglas] has done a really nice job adding some really cool pieces to the football team, but, yeah, quiet,' Saleh told NFL Network's Steve Wyche at Sunday's league meetings in Orlando. 'Last year was a little loud. We welcome a little bit of quietness.'
Robert Saleh of the New York Jets looks on during the second half of a game in Miami
For those who missed the Jets' offseason moves in 2023 – perhaps because they were at a darkness retreat or doing ayahuasca in Peru – Douglas pulled off a trade for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, thereby igniting Super Bowl expectations in New York and northern New Jersey. Exacerbating matters was the team's decision to take part in HBO's Hard Knocks - a training camp docuseries that only fueled expectations.
'You've got 15 million fans out there that are so excited that they can barely contain themselves,' Johnson told players in August, as captured by HBO cameras.
Those expectations were extinguished one series into the season when Rodgers suffered a ruptured Achilles, resulting in former No. 2 draft pick Zach Wilson being forced back into the lineup with disastrous results.
New York would stumble to a 7-10 finish amid widespread criticism of Douglas, Johnson, Wilson, Saleh and the team.
This year the Jets' additions are less flashy, but possibly just as important.
