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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and his wife getting their photos taken during a press event.
Well, that escalated quickly.
Colleen Wolfe of the NFL Media group revealed on the “Around the NFL” podcast that “a very reliable source” told her that there was “a very heated conversation” between New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and head coach Robert Saleh.
Wolfe explained that this occurred during the Annual League Meeting.
“Initially, she said it occurred at the NFL’s cocktail reception Monday night at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which hosted the NFL’s league meetings. Later in the podcast she said it was Sunday night, not Monday. She provided no other details, except to say it became ‘a little awkward’”, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said the NFL Network “could be in a little hot water” regarding this claim.
Johnson took to social media on Thursday, March 28, and vehemently denied the accuracy of the report.
“All this nonsense about a heated argument between Coach Saleh and me at the League Meeting is absolutely false. It is yet another irresponsible report from NFL Network. Please disregard,” Johnson wrote on X previously Twitter.
More Reporters Chime in on the Jets Woody-Saleh Exchange
It’s always something with the Jets.
Wolfe refused to categorize the exchange between Saleh and Johnson as an “argument” on the podcast but instead referenced it as a passionate conversation.
However, Connor Hughes of SNY completely shot down that it ever took place.
“There was no verbal argument between Robert Saleh and Woody Johnson at the NFL’s annual meeting reception. I know because I was at the party where this apparently happened, feet from Saleh & Johnson, before Johnson & Jets contingent left. Woody took them out to dinner. Checked in with a two sources at the dinner. Confirmed nothing happened there, either,” Hughes posted.
Florio shared that, “The Jets aren’t happy about it. Especially since they believe the claim is incorrect.”
“Robert Saleh’s been grilled after gut-wrenching losses on the podium with fastball after fastball these last three years. Never once has he lost his cool. He receives justified criticism for a lot, but he always keeps [his] composure publicly. [Do] you guys really think he’s gonna blow up at the owner of his team at a party filled with every GM, HC & owner in NFL … along with every reporter covering those teams,” Hughes openly asked incredulously.
This is a developing story and we’ll provide new details as they become available.
Paul A. Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he is also the official PA voice of the Syracuse Strong Football Club and co-hosts Cumulus Media’s morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY and The Score 1260. More about Paul A. Esden Jr.
