NEW YORK, NY. (THECOUNT) — During Thursday night’s game between the New York Jets and the New England Patriots, an unusual moment between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and head coach Robert Saleh caught the attention of fans and quickly went viral online. The Jets were on their way to a commanding 24-3 victory at MetLife Stadium when an awkward sideline interaction led many to speculate if there was tension brewing between the star player and his coach.
The moment in question happened in the second quarter after the Jets scored a touchdown. As Saleh approached Rodgers, arms open for what looked like a celebratory hug, the quarterback appeared to brush him off. Rodgers said something to Saleh that caused the coach to recoil slightly, making the exchange even more puzzling. Cameras captured the scene, and within minutes, the clip spread across social media, igniting discussions among fans and internet sleuths who tried to lip-read what Rodgers had said.
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Rodgers and Saleh are pumped.#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/b3aSB0VgsM
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The situation raised so many eyebrows that a reporter asked Rodgers about it in the post-game press conference. However, Rodgers was quick to dismiss any notion of friction between him and his coach, explaining that the incident was nothing more than a misunderstanding. “He’s not a big hugger usually,” Rodgers said of Saleh. “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.”
Saleh also downplayed the exchange, echoing Rodgers’ explanation. He confirmed that the two had simply been referencing the game’s lead at the time, and there was no underlying conflict. Both coach and player seemed unbothered by the incident, opting to focus on the team’s performance instead of the viral video.
While the sideline moment may have caused a brief stir online, it had no effect on the Jets’ overall success that night. The win was one of the team’s most dominant performances in recent memory, and with Rodgers leading the charge, the team has high hopes for the rest of the season. The victory gave the Jets an extended break before their next game on September 29, allowing them to savor the win and refocus for the remainder of the schedule.
Despite the social media frenzy, it seems there is no bad blood between Rodgers and Saleh. The quarterback’s arrival in New York this season has already energized the team and fan base, and moments like these—though awkward—are unlikely to derail the momentum they’ve been building. Both Rodgers and Saleh are focused on their shared goal of bringing success to the Jets, and their post-game comments suggest the relationship remains solid.
For now, the Jets can enjoy their hard-fought victory and prepare for what’s next. With Rodgers leading the offense and Saleh guiding the team from the sidelines, the Jets are in a promising position as they move deeper into the season.
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