Robert Saleh addresses concerns about relationship with Aaron Rodgers

As noted by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers insisted during a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that he and head coach Robert Saleh "have a great relationship" and "a good friendship" after Boomer Esiason said "there is a major issue" between the two men coming off New York's 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos this past Sunday. 

Esiason's comment was related to the fact that Saleh and Rodgers seemed to disagree on Sunday when discussing whether the quarterback's cadence was linked with the Jets' five pre-snap penalties against Denver. Rodgers attempted to pour cold water over any potential controversy on Tuesday, and Saleh offered what Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post referred to as "a few terse words" while speaking about the subject on Wednesday. 

"There is no cadence issue," Saleh insisted, per Alex Smith of SNY. "There never was a cadence issue. It was created."

Saleh was later asked about his working relationship with Rodgers. 

"Aaron and I are fantastic," Saleh responded. "Love the guy."

Fair or not, the perception is that Saleh either realized or was reminded that Rodgers allegedly holds quite a bit of power regarding personnel decisions and could ensure that the coach is shown the door if the Jets don't start playing like a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Saleh has accumulated an overall record of 20-35 as Jets head coach since 2021 but held onto his job last winter largely because he had Rodgers' support. Questions about that support now hover over the Jets amid whispers suggesting Johnson could reach out to former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick about replacing Saleh.

Rodgers was visibly annoyed late in the Week 4 loss to Denver, and Brian Costello of the New York Post mentioned that Saleh was "clearly agitated" on Wednesday "about the cadence flap."

One can only imagine what insiders may say about the Rodgers-Saleh marriage if the Jets fall to the unbeaten Vikings overseas.