Aaron Rodgers' regrets after firing Robert Saleh

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers admits he played a role in Robert Saleh's firing. It's just not what the conspiracy theorists think.

Rodgers said Thursday that he had considered whether Saleh would continue to be head coach and Nathaniel Hackett would continue to call the plays if he played better in the first five games of the season.

“We all feel terrible about the opportunity we had, which we missed, which led to Robert being fired and Hack being demoted. If I play better, that won’t happen,” Rodgers said. “If we’re better on offense, that won’t happen. I think it puts us in the spotlight. Now it's up to us to do this. We have to hold each other accountable and raise the level of play to the standard we set in training camp.”

Multiple sources confirm what Rodgers has said, saying he had no influence on team owner Woody Johnson's decision to fire Saleh.

A source said Thursday that Rodgers was really upset about the decision.

Rodgers wouldn't publicly criticize Johnson's decision Thursday but said he felt bad because he didn't play well and that led to Saleh being replaced by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich this week.

“I take that very personally. This is what I can control. I have the ball in my hands every game,” Rodgers said. “Of course it has been bothering me for a few days with a heavy heart. Just like in life, there are possibilities and choices and parallel universes with every decision you make or don't make. It’s the same thing in this business: You make that throw, make that throw, you’re sitting at 4-1 and we’re not here right now.”

Rodgers, who was limited in training on Thursday due to the ankle sprain he suffered in London, has underperformed this year, particularly in the last two weeks.

The offensive has stalled, and that was one of the main reasons Saleh was fired.

Rodgers has already experienced a coaching change during the season.

The Packers fired Mike McCarthy in 2018 and replaced him with Joe Philbin, but that was with four games left in the season.

Rodgers said this film feels different because of the timing.

“That’s five games. We still have 12 games left. We have everything right in front of us,” Rodgers said. “A win this week puts us in a really good place in our division. Winning the division is the first entry into the playoff format. There’s a lot to play for.”