When addressing the media last week, Robert Saleh said it’s a "silly narrative" to say the New York Jets are signing Aaron Rodgers' teammates simply because they are on a “wish list”

“It's very common for new faces to want old faces, to come in and help accelerate the installation of an entire program," Saleh told reporters. "Everything is pinned on the quarterback. It's not just him…That whole narrative — what people are trying to put on the quarterback — it's tired. It's common practice in the NFL." 

Saleh is obviously towing the company line and doing his best to shield both his boss, GM Joe Douglas, and his new quarterback from scrutiny. To make it seem as if Rodgers demanded certain things before signing with Gang Green would make him look like the needy, petulant child certain media members claim him to be. Rodgers is already going on a good will tour around New York (he has been seen at Knicks and Rangers playoff games) to endear himself to the fans and likely, the New York media.

By taking the “common practice” angle, Saleh is also providing some cover to Douglas, or else it might seem that he is no longer in control of this roster. Douglas has spent the last few years making savvy trades and accumulating draft capital to make this an attractive roster to a guy like Rodgers. It would be a shame if he became nothing more than the instrument Rodgers uses to sign his buddies.

Saleh is doing what every good leader of a franchise should do; attempt to take the pressure and blame off his squad so that they can operate free of pressure from the media. After all, the fans DO want Rodgers to feel comfortable. The fans DO want to feel like Douglas' steady hand is still on the wheel. 

The truth is, Saleh isn’t wrong in his claim that this is “common practice”. When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers landed Tom Brady in free agency, they immediately brought in Rob Gronkowski. When Matt Stafford went from the Detroit Lions to the Los Angeles Rams, his offensive coordinator was Kevin O’Connell, who was Stafford’s back up his rookie season. 

Even going back to the great Joe Montana when he signed with Kansas City Chiefs. To help ease the transition from the San Francisco 49ers to the Chiefs, Kansas City brought in his former QB coach as its new offensive coordinator, Paul Hackett (Yes, the same Paul Hackett who was OC for the Jets and father of Nathaniel Hackett, who is currently the Jets OC). 

It seems like the only time players or coaches were not brought in to help a new QB was when the Jets traded for Brett Favre back in 2008, but that trade came in August due to Favre’s dance of retiring and then un-retiring. By August, there aren’t many free agents available and it’s much harder to make a coaching change.

The issue isn’t helping Rodgers feel more comfortable in his transition from the Packers to the Jets, the issue becomes the lengths the Jets seem to be willing to go to in order to make it happen. Having a security blanket like Brady had with Gronk, or a coach like Montana had with Hackett is helpful. Bringing in guy after guy makes it seem like the wrong person is calling the shots at 1 Jets Drive. 

But of course, no one will care what happened during the offseason if the Jets just do what is expected of them: contend for a Super Bowl in 2023.