In a stunning turn of events, the New York Jets secured a monumental victory over the New England Patriots, marking their first blowout win since 1998. The win also constituted the Jets’ first two-game winning streak against their AFC East rivals in decades. However, amidst the celebratory atmosphere, tensions seemed to bubble up between two key figures in the team.
Aaron Rodgers, known for his fiery and temperamental demeanor, was at the center of the controversy. After a successful second-quarter drive that propelled the Jets to a 14-0 lead, head coach Saleh attempted to congratulate Rodgers with a hug. What followed was unexpected as Rodgers, instead of embracing his coach, extended his hands to push Saleh away while muttering something that set social media abuzz.
The incident was captured on camera and quickly went viral, with internet sleuths attempting to decipher what Rodgers had said to his coach during the uncomfortable encounter. In an effort to clarify the situation, Rodgers addressed the media post-game, attributing his actions to the excitement of achieving a two-score lead on the scoreboard.
The explanation, however, did not appease all fans, who noted Rodgers’ body language seemed to tell a different story. Rodgers further explained that the miscommunication stemmed from Saleh’s usual non-hugging behavior, stating, “He’s not a big hugger usually. So, I didn’t know he was going for a 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.”
While Saleh corroborated Rodgers’ account of the incident, doubts lingered among fans and analysts. Given Rodgers’ history of stirring up drama in the locker room, concerns were raised about the true nature of the tension between the two leaders. As the Jets prepare to face the Denver Broncos on September 29, all eyes will be on Rodgers and Saleh, with the lingering question of whether the perceived tension was genuine or merely a misunderstanding.