PHOENIX — Jets coach Robert Saleh is preaching patience when it comes to an Aaron Rodgers trade.
“I’m not hitting the panic button,” Saleh said Monday at the league meetings. “I’ve talked to you guys about it before. I worry about things I’ve got control over. That’s something I have zero control over, so I’m just going to focus my energy on the things that I do. It is what it is. I’m confident that things are going to work out. I’m a very positive person and optimistic so I’m confident that things will go the way we’re hoping, but at the same time it’s not going to eat at me.”
The Jets and Packers are engaged in a stare down when it comes to trade compensation for Rodgers, who has expressed his desire to play for the Jets.
Saleh could not say much about Rodgers since he is still under contract with Green Bay but he said he is willing to wait.
“It takes two to tango,” Saleh said. “It’s a process. We respect the process. Whenever it gets done, it gets done.”
Saleh also said the Jets can wait on Rodgers without specifically mentioning Rodgers, saying if you add a veteran quarterback who knows the offense, they can come into the team late in the offseason.
Rodgers spent three seasons with new Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in Green Bay.
“If there’s great rapport with the coordinator, there’s really no urgency,” Saleh said. “If the quarterback knows the system, it’s just a matter of refining skills and all that stuff. There’s no hurry on our end.”
Saleh reiterated something he told the NFL Network over the weekend that Rodgers’ interest in the Jets shows the progress the franchise has made in two years.
“We’ve come a long way in two years,” Saleh said. “To have a guy of his caliber … and there’s a lot of guys who want to come here and play. There’s a lot of excitement around the organization and it’s a cool thing to be a part of. Hopefully we can continue moving forward and capitalize on the momentum.”
Saleh remains confident that Jets general manager Joe Douglas will eventually work out a trade.
“I’m a positive thinker,” Saleh said. “I’m sure eventually they’ll figure something out.”
As for the Jets’ interest in free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., Saleh said: “There’s always going to be interest with any great player, obviously. Things have to work out. There’s a whole lot of different things. I apologize. I’m deferring to Joe a lot. When you start talking money and all that stuff, it becomes something else. That’s something I’d have to defer to Joe.”
Saleh went on about Beckham.
“He’s been a fantastic receiver in this league,” Saleh said. “Everything you hear about him, he’s a phenomenal person. It’s just something that you’re always going to turn over every stone, cross your T’s and dot your I’s just to make sure you’re not missing an opportunity to add a great player. There’s no guarantee anything will happen.”
Saleh downplayed the idea that the interest in Beckham was solely because of Rodgers’ desire to play with him.
There was a report last week that running back Ezekiel Elliott was considering the Jets, but Saleh indicated the interest was not mutual.
“We love our running back room. I’ll leave it at that,” Saleh said.
