Jets coach Robert Saleh changes tune on 'Hard Knocks,' embraces show with custom shirt

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh hit training camp practice with a statement shirt on Thursday. Saleh wore a Jets black long sleeve that read, “I (heart) HK,” in green and white lettering to show his support for Hard Knocks.

Although quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the league “forced it down” the Jets’ throats, the head coach appears ready to accept his fate.

“They’ve got a great group of people working with us,” Saleh told the media, via Mike Garafolo. “We expressed some of our concerns, they answered them.”

Jets coach Robert Saleh with the “I Love Hard Knocks” shirt 🙃 pic.twitter.com/L8IYuqXxpr

— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) July 20, 2023

No team was particularly eager to welcome Hard Knocks into their facilities, and for some, their homes, this offseason. Ultimately, the Jets’ plentiful storylines made them hard to pass up.

In addition to adding the four-time MVP quarterback, the Jets also boast last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year in receiver Garrett Wilson and Defensive Rookie of the Year in cornerback Sauce Gardner.

The Jets also have running back Breece Hall, who is making his way back from a torn ACL. Saleh shared an update on Hall on Thursday as well.

“We’re going to do good by him to make sure we slow play it but he’s in good shape,” Saleh said. “You don’t want to go too quick but you don’t want to go too slow. Trust our trainers and doctors.”

Many are predicting that the Jets could end their playoff drought thanks to all the pieces that have fallen into place for this season.

Rodgers: NFL ‘forced’ Hard Knocks on Jets

Aaron Rodgers was none too pleased to learn that the NFL forced his new team into letting the Hard Knocks crew into their lives for the next few weeks.

Even though the show is still as popular as ever, it’s often not appreciated by the players and coaches who have to deal with the distractions and extra media presence.

Still, Rodgers understands the deal.

“I understand the appeal with us,” Rodgers said at the American Century Championship. “Obviously, there’s a lot of eyes on me. A lot of eyes on our team. A lot of expectations on our squad. So, they forced it down our throats, and we’ve got to deal with it.”

Unfortunately for Rodgers and the Jets, there were only so many NFL franchises for Hard Knocks to choose from. The guidelines stipulate that a team with a new head coach, a playoff berth in the previous two seasons, or an appearance on the show in the last decade would be exempt from participating.

While filming for the show begins this week, the premiere of the first episode will be on August 8 on Max.