New York Jets

Robert Saleh is opening up on the New York Jets' decision to go with a new head coach ... and he took the high road, expressing nothing but appreciation to the organization for giving him a shot.

Saleh released a statement Wednesday morning ... thanking the Jets for the opportunity "to work with so many incredible people."

"I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive," he said.

The New York Jets shocked the NFL world Tuesday by firing head coach Robert Saleh after starting the season 2-3 ... and former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi tells TMZ Sports the move is too little, too late -- saying this should've been done LAST YEAR!

We asked the longtime front office exec for his thoughts on Gang Green owner Woody Johnson's decision to part ways with Saleh after just five games, and an overall record of 20-36 during his three-season tenure.

Lombardi says when an organization goes through something like this, it's a surefire sign of dysfunction.

Robert Saleh's time as Jets head coach is over ... the team just fired him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported New York brass made the move Tuesday morning -- just two days after NY put up a clunker against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

The Jets -- who had Super Bowl aspirations heading into the season -- were just 2-3 under Saleh's leadership so far this year ... and to make matter worse for the guy, there were numerous reports that he and star quarterback Aaron Rodgers didn't see eye-to-eye.

Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets are stumbling out the gates in 2024 ... but ex-NFL QB Mark Sanchez says the last thing they need to do is make a change on the sidelines -- telling TMZ Sports they need to ride it out with Robert Saleh.

We caught up with the Fox Sports commentator at LAX amid Gang Green's 2-2 start ... and asked what he felt about folks saying NY's head coach should be on the hot seat following a 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos.

"This past game was just an ugly game, they would had to win ugly," Sanchez said. "And they lost by a point, or whatever it was. In a rainy game like that, you need one ball to bounce your way; you need to make a field goal, something."

Good news surrounding Denver Broncos running back Tyler Badie -- he is reportedly doing well following the medical scare he experienced during the team's 10-9 win over the New York Jets.

While the team has not officially provided an update on the 24-year-old's status ... multiple reports have come out saying he is "doing OK" and is "going to be alright."

Brandon Krisztal of KOA Colorado also said on X Badie even flew back to Denver on Sunday night, claiming he was on the same commercial flight as the running back and a member of the Broncos' medical staff.

2:40 PM PT -- Broncos head coach Sean Payton addressed the situation after the game ... saying there was no update on Badie's health.

A scary moment went down during the Denver Broncos' matchup against the New York Jets on Sunday ... when running back Tyler Badie collapsed on the sideline and needed to be stretched off of the playing area.

The incident happened shortly after Badie took a hit to the back from Jets linebacker Quincy Williams ... which forced a fumble that the home team recovered.

It seemed to be a routine hit ... considering Badie made his way back to the sideline. However, after the commercial break, he was on his back and being attended to by medical personnel.

Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh had such a weird moment on the sideline of the Jets game Thursday night, it had many wondering if the two were beefing ... but the quarterback was adamant following the contest that he and his coach are just fine.

The awkward scene unfolded in the second quarter of New York's blowout win over the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium ... when Saleh went to give his star signal-caller a hug following a touchdown drive.

Check out video from the Amazon broadcast, as Saleh went to throw his arms around Rodgers .... the QB rebuked the embrace -- and muttered something that appeared to make his head coach recoil.

Forget, J-E-T-S ... Aaron Rodgers was more into P-U-P-S at New York training camp Wednesday -- snuggling an adorable pooch after his squad's workout!!

The team brought in some doggos in order to raise awareness for the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey ... and almost immediately, one took a liking to NY's star signal-caller.

The little ball of fur crawled into the quarterback's arms ... and then licked his face repeatedly.

Aaron Rodgers' team won its first preseason game Saturday, and his throwing arm was impressive ... thing is, he didn't throw the ball at the stadium.

AR sat on the sidelines to watch the Jets beat the Browns, and then he beelined it for Madison Square Garden, where he took in a big, celeb comedy show.

Aaron hopped on stage with Joe Rogan, Andrew Dice Clay, Joey Diaz, Shane Gillis and others, and hurled 2 footballs into the crowd ... which you gotta say is pretty awesome for whoever caught it --  Aaron's an MVP 4 times over.

Aaron Rodgers' trip to Egypt this summer ended up costing him more than he expected ... as the quarterback just revealed the Jets fined him for taking the vacation.

The 40-year-old signal-caller ditched a few mandatory practices back in June to fly out of the country for some R and R ... and on Wednesday, he told reporters his bosses docked his pay for missing the workouts.

Rodgers wouldn't say what the fee ultimately was ... but he did note it was "a little more than" $50,000!

Aaron Rodgers pulled up to New York Jets' training camp ready to ball -- and clearly ready to troll -- check out the tee he was wearing ... it's an obvious middle finger to his haters!!

The 40-year-old quarterback, of course, drew the ire of many this offseason -- including from perhaps his own team -- when he bailed on some mandatory practices in order to take a previously planned trip to Egypt.

On Tuesday, he addressed the vitriol he received for the "unexcused" absences ... but with his attire -- not his words.

Aaron Rodgers might have been M.I.A. during the Jets' mandatory minicamp ... but when one crying New York fan needed him the most Wednesday -- he was right there to lend him a hug!!!

The four-time NFL MVP was on the links in Lake Tahoe, taking part in a practice round for the famed American Century Championship. While on the course, Rodgers ran into a fan who wasn't looking for an autograph ... but for him to bring his favorite team the Lombardi Trophy.

"I just want a Super Bowl, Aaron," the weeping man told the signal-caller. "Please!"

Jim Pons -- the man who created one of the New York Jets' logos -- is now suing the team and the NFL ... demanding he be paid for their use of his design.

Pons filed the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ Sports, in New York on Monday ... claiming he made the now-iconic emblem way back in the 1970s, after he had been working for the team as a film and video director.

Pons says in '78, the Jets were looking for a redesign -- and when he submitted his logo that featured a jet plane above the letters "E-T-S" ... team officials loved it, and began using it.

Zach Wilson will soon step off the gridiron and into a stylish tux ... 'cause he just got engaged to his model girlfriend on an Italian vacation.

Nicolette Dellanno -- the lucky lady ready to settle down with ZW -- posted pics of the two together overlooking the water on an Italian cliffside just moments ago ... and check out the pics 'cause she's got a MASSIVE rock on her left hand.

Dellanno's clad in all white here -- looking pretty dang angelic, we gotta say ... and, she's engaging in a ton of PDA with Zach, holding hands and smooching under the moonlight.

The New York Jets kickstarted their mandatory minicamp on Tuesday ... but one key player was nowhere to be found -- superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh addressed No. 8's decision to ditch the team workout with reporters just minutes ago ... saying he knew the four-time MVP would not be present due to an "event that was very important to him," but it was considered "unexcused" regardless.

Rodgers' decision will likely result in a financial punishment ... as players who miss mandatory minicamp are subject to a fine.

Aaron Rodgers is opening up on his decision to forgo a political career -- at least for now -- saying he simply wasn't ready to walk away from his day job as the quarterback of the New York Jets.

AR8 spoke with the media at his team's OTAs on Tuesday ... when he addressed his name being thrown around as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s potential running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

Specifically, he was asked how seriously he considered the move ... and Rodgers explained he was facing a fork in the road -- but it ultimately came down to one thing.