Jets’ Aaron Rodgers talks awkward sideline exchange with Robert Saleh
There was a lot to like from the Jets in their dominant win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
Aaron Rodgers and the offense looked the best it has so far in this young season and the defense kept the Patriots from gaining any traction all night. But there was one odd moment caught by the broadcast.
In the second quarter, Rodgers went up to head coach Robert Saleh on the sidelines. Saleh looked to try and give his QB a hug but Rodgers stuck his forearm out to seemingly block it before saying something.
Rodgers and Saleh are pumped.#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/b3aSB0VgsM
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) September 20, 2024
After the win, we finally know what actually happened.
“It wasn’t awkward at all," Rodgers said with a smile. "He’s not a big hugger, usually, so I didn’t know he was going for the hug. He likes to do the two-hand chest push as well.
"He talks a lot about two-score leads. So I just kind of gave him a push and said 'two-score lead.' That’s what happened.”
“Part of the things that we’ve been talking about is to give the defense a two-score lead,” Saleh said with a laugh. “It was a two-score lead so he wanted to see something on defense.”
Rodgers certainly did see something from the Jets defense. Gang Green allowed the Patriots to amass only 139 yards of total offense and sacked the quarterback seven times.
But it wasn’t only the defense. The Rodgers-led offense picked up 400 yards of offense and had 27 first downs. Rodgers’ two touchdowns went to Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, with Breece Hall punching in a third Jets touchdown.
It was an overall team effort and one the Jets wanted to see after their season-opening loss to the 49ers and squeaking by the Titans in Week 2.
But now with a 2-1 record, for the first time since 2015, the Jets will get some much-needed rest before hosting the Denver Broncos back at MetLife.