Boomer Esiason believes Aaron Rodgers ‘doesn’t respect’ Robert Saleh: ‘Major issue there’

Boomer Esiason recognizes a major issue between New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh.

It wasn’t long ago that everything looked great for the Jets, as Rodgers recently preached the importance of learning how to handle success on the heels of a two-game winning streak. But after an ugly 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon, the Jets don’t have to worry about handling success right now. Instead, Esiason believes they need to worry about a fractured relationship between Rodgers and Saleh.

Boomer says there is a “major issue” with the current relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh: pic.twitter.com/BrfdE2OZug

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) September 30, 2024

“I don’t even think they talk to each other,” Esiason told co-host Gregg Giannotti on their WFAN radio show Monday morning. “I try to watch to see if I see any interaction on the sideline or anything. Nothing. Nothing, I see a guy walking right past another guy. I can’t imagine that now.”

Esiason acknowledged he was only speculating, but he was speculating from experience, recalling similar issues he had with two coaches during his NFL career.

“If you read my body language back in those days back with those teams that I was on, you could tell I was pissed off,” Esiason said. “And when I see Aaron Rodgers on the sideline and see him after the game in the postgame press conference, and again, I’m speculating here, but I’m only speculating because I’ve gone through it myself.”

“But yesterday’s postgame press conference, there is a major issue there and they both will deny it, I guarantee it,” Esiason continued. “But there is an issue there and it’s because you have this 40-year-old, Hall of Fame quarterback to be, dealing with a coach that I think he doesn’t respect.”

The Jets might be quick to deny any rift, but there’s no denying their star quarterback and head coach appeared at odds after Sunday’s loss to Denver. Following a game marred by an inept offense and self-inflicted wounds, Saleh suggested Rodgers’ pre-snap cadence might be an issue. When Rodgers was asked about the potential issue, however, he snarkily disagreed with Saleh rushing to point a finger at his cadence.

Saleh was questioned about his postgame comments on Monday and the Jets head coach was quick to backtrack, saying, “From a cadence standpoint, that’s part of makes us who we are, and we’re going to continue to always push the envelope on that.”

Rodgers won’t appreciate Esiason pulling the curtain back on his lack of respect for Saleh, but it’s easy to see why their relationship might be fractured. Rodgers has championship aspirations, Saleh celebrates every first down like it’s the Super Bowl. Rodgers is a future Hall of Famer with a Super Bowl ring, Saleh has compiled a 20-35 record as head coach. Rodgers likes to battle the media, Saleh texts and golfs with Joe Benigno.

[WFAN]