Ahead of his move to the Jets, an alleged wish list from Aaron Rodgers is making headlines. His new head coach Robert Saleh clears up the background to U.S. reporters

Even before Aaron Rodgers was officially traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets, there were reports in US media of a player wish list that the quarterback was said to have submitted to his new team.

With ex-Packers pros such as Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Billy Turner, the franchise from the Big Apple then also provided its playmaker with some players with whom he is already familiar.

Now the head coach of the Jets has commented on the alleged wish list. So Robert Saleh was asked by reporters if there was a conversation about players Rodgers would like to have in his team.

Jets: Aaron Rodgers’ wish list? “Silly story “

The head coach’s response was unequivocal in the aftermath. “I can try to say that as respectfully as I can – I’m not attacking anybody in the process. I just think it’s a stupid story to talk about a ‘wish list’,” Saleh said at a press conference.

And continued, “I say that because there are 32 teams in the NFL. And when there are changes, when you have a new coaching staff, when you have new people coming in, it’s common to surround those people with people they’re familiar with.”

Thus, the coach explained that he himself had a wish list at the beginning of his engagement. For example, he wanted players who were “very familiar with our message and our scheme, who could come in and play. “

In addition, Saleh provided a comparison. “Tom Brady went to the Buccaneers and got Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. So it’s normal for new faces to want old faces. “

Jets coach Robert Saleh provides Brady comparison

It’s not just Rodgers who is crucial, though, he said. Players like Lazard, Cobb and Turner are also familiar with the Jets’ new offensive coordinator, ex-Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett.

“Everything gets blamed on the quarterback – but it’s not just him. Hackett has something to say about that. He loves Lazard, loves Randall, took Billy Turner to Denver and wanted him here. This whole story that people want to pin on the quarterback, I think it’s outdated.”

Just because a player is familiar with Rodgers doesn’t give him preference, Saleh explained, “At the end of the day, the best 53 players are going to be on the team – and the best 11 are going to be on the field when it’s time to snap the ball. “