Former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh’s tenure with the team hasn’t been exactly stellar. With a 20-36 record in his fourth season and no playoff appearances, perhaps the writing was on the wall. However, it’s a first for Jets owner Woody Johnson, who, in his 24 years of ownership, has never fired a coach mid-season—even Adam Gase, despite his disastrous run, lasted until the season’s end. Saleh’s sudden departure has sparked speculation about Aaron Rodgers’ involvement, though Rodgers has firmly denied any role in the decision.

NBC commentator Mike Florio isn’t convinced by Aaron Rodgers’ denial. In fact, Florio has made a bold accusation, suggesting that Rodgers did nothing to prevent Robert Saleh’s dismissal. He points to Rodgers’ loyalty to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as a possible motive. It’s well known that Hackett’s presence was one of the key reasons Rodgers joined the Jets. The timing of Saleh’s firing, soon after Hackett was demoted, raises eyebrows. Florio argues that if Rodgers had concerns about Hackett’s demotion and didn’t intervene, it signals that Rodgers might have wanted Saleh gone all along.

Aaron Rodgers has been backed up by his teammates though. Tight end Tyler Conklin described ideas of Rodgers having a hand in the dismissal as being pure “outsider perception.” Conklin kind of backed up what Florio said, that Rodgers had come here for Hackett and Saleh. Well, Florio didn’t say Saleh, but who knows how things were at the start? Speaking of Rodgers’ reaction, Conklin said “Aaron took this harder than almost any of us.” This would generally serve to discredit Florio’s viewpoint, but there’s no telling how things really are behind closed doors.

General speculation about some kind of Rodgers-Saleh feud has been brewing since near the start of the season anyway. Media buzz after Rodgers shoved Saleh away after the New York Jets‘ win over the Patriots was crazy. And maybe there really was nothing to the incident, as Rodgers claimed. But it’s getting tougher to believe it wasn’t betraying underlying tensions. Saleh’s decision to blame Rodgers’ “cadence” for the Jets’ fudged plays added fuel to the fire. While the two never aired their enmity, they were never seen being chummy either. Mike Florio claims Rodgers could have saved Saleh but didn’t, and it’s easy to see why.

What next for the Jets?

With Robert Saleh out of the picture, who’s the next big name lined up for the head coach job? Despite rumors Bill Belichick might step into the role, that’s dead in the water. For now, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has stepped up as interim head coach.

With the Jets having the second-best defense in the league as of now, it’s clear Ulbrich is competent at his job. They’re helped of course, by the fact Saleh himself was a very defense-oriented coach. He found great success as defensive coordinator of the 49ers in the first place before becoming head coach at the Jets. I suppose now’s when we find out if the defense was Saleh’s brainchild or Ulbrich’s. With their next game against the Buffalo Bills, they’ll have their work cut out for them.

It’s not mathematically impossible the Jets will make it to the playoffs, but it might be wise not to get your hopes up.