Robert Saleh, head coach of the NFL's New York Jets, denied on Friday that there is a list of quarterback (QB) Aaron Rodgers' former teammates they need to sign in order to recruit the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) veteran.

Rodgers was traded by the Green Bay Packers to the Jets in April after he had expressed clear intentions of wanting to play there. Meanwhile, the Jets acquired wide receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb, QB Tim Boyle and tackle Billy Turner, all former Packers.

"It's very common for new faces to want old faces, to come in and help accelerate the installation of an entire program," Saleh said. "Everything is pinned on the quarterback. It's not just him."

"[Offensive coordinator Nathaniel] Hackett has something to say about it. He loves Lazard. He loves Randall. He took Billy Turner with him to Denver, and he wanted him here. Of course, you're going to surround a coach with people who he feels like will plant the flag," Saleh added. "That whole narrative – what people are trying to put on the quarterback – it's tired. It's common practice in the NFL."

It should be noted that Hackett was Green Bay's offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021 and he was hired by the Jets in late January. The team also pursed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was a free agent and on Rodgers' "wish list" as well, according to ESPN. Nonetheless, Beckham Jr. chose to join the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year, $18 million contract in the end.

Like Saleh said, when teams land a super star, it's common to add players he is familiar with or wants to their lineup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers introduced tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Antonio Brown when Tom Brady joined.

What matters the most is that the super star needs to give the team what they want in response. Brady led the Buccaneers to win their second Super Bowl title in franchise history during the 2020 campaign after missing the playoffs for 12 seasons. The Jets haven't appeared in the post season for exactly the same long period, and they are counting on Rodgers to make a difference.

"You see a fire in the guy's eye when you sit down and talk to him," Saleh said of Rodgers. "He's coming here to win."