New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has previously said that he doesn't have a close relationship with team owner Woody Johnson, and an instance from earlier in the 2024 season certainly didn't help matters.

According to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, Rodgers spoke to Johnson on Oct. 7, the day after New York's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London that dropped the team's record to 2-3. A team source said, "Rodgers implored Johnson to remain patient" with then-head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

However, it took just one day for turmoil to hit the organization. On Oct. 8, Saleh reportedly informed Rodgers that he was demoting Hackett and inserting passing game coordinator Todd Downing as the new play-caller, but the signal-caller "made it clear to Saleh that he did not agree with the decision." Rodgers was so adamant in his disagreement that a team source said Saleh "told his staff to get backup Tyrod Taylor ready to play in case a banged-up, disgruntled Rodgers wouldn't."

Just a few hours after his conversation with Rodgers, Saleh was fired by Johnson following a brief meeting. Jeff Ulbrich, who was promoted from defensive coordinator to interim head coach, moved forward with the decision to replace Hackett with Downing. Multiple team sources said Ulbrich "managed to calm the waters with Rodgers, who hadn't been in favor of firing Saleh."

Rodgers said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show late last month that he was not close with Johnson and he had more of a relationship with his brother, Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson. The 41-year-old furthered the belief that he wasn't happy with the owner when he told reporters earlier this month, "I think it's an important part of ownership to hire the right guys, set the vision and support them when the outside world is trying to tear them down."

It remains unclear whether Rodgers will return to the Jets next season following their disastrous 2024 campaign. New York has a 4-10 record entering Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams (8-6) and will miss the playoffs for the 14th straight year.