In Saleh’s eyes, there are no wish lists, just a practiced approach to fostering intimacy and chemistry within the ranks.
“I’ll try to say that as respectfully as possible. I’m not attacking anyone,” Saleh told reporters on Friday. “I just think it’s silly narrative regarding wish lists, and I’m saying that because there are 32 teams in the NFL and it’s common when there are changes when you have a new coaching staff. When you have people coming in, you surround those people with people they’re familiar with. I had a wish list. There’s Soloman Thomas, Marcell Harris, DJ Reed, Kwon Alexander. People I’ve worked with who are very familiar with our news, very familiar with our scheme, who can come in and play.”
The Jets have four of Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers teammates — quarterback Tim Boyle, wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, and offensive lineman Billy Turner. And of course there’s offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Rodgers’ so-called wish list was first reported by ESPN in March, and the future Hall of Famer quarterback downplayed it, though he also shared his opinions on some of his favorite teammates on club brass when the Jets caught up with him at their home .
As Saleh noted, a coach or superstar QB looking for talent they’re familiar with, regardless of the headlines they’re familiar with, is far from a novel concept.
“Shoot, Tom Brady goes to Tampa and he gets [Rob] Gronkowski and Antonio Brown,” Saleh said. “So it’s very common for new faces to want old faces. Being able to come in and help speed up the isolation of a program. And it’s not all just pinned on the quarterback. It’s not just him. Hackett has something to say about that. He loves Lazard, loves Randall. Took Billy Turner to Denver, wanted here in Green Bay, so obviously you’re going to surround a coach with people he thinks will be able to raise the flags. So, you know, this whole narrative about what people are trying to put on the quarterback, I think it’s tired, but it’s standard practice in the NFL.
Common might be a stretch, but it’s certainly not new. Rodgers isn’t in the spotlight either, and that certainly doesn’t end for him or his teammates — new and old.