Jets owner calls report on argument with Saleh 'absolutely false' - ESPN

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson used social media Thursday to rebut a claim by an NFL Network host that he and coach Robert Saleh engaged in a «very heated conversation» earlier this week at the NFL's annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida.

«All this nonsense about a heated argument between Coach Saleh and me at the league meeting is absolutely false,» Johnson said on X. «It is yet another irresponsible report from NFL Network. Please disregard.»

It's unusual for Johnson, 76, to respond in this manner, but he evidently felt compelled after a comment by NFL Network's Colleen Wolfe gained traction late Wednesday.

On the «Around the NFL» podcast, Wolfe said she heard about the alleged Johnson-Saleh dispute from a «very reliable source.» 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.»

In a statement released Thursday, Wolfe apologized to the Jets «for the unnecessary distraction.»

«Regarding my comments surrounding the Jets on the @AroundTheNFL podcast: no, I was not at the Annual Meeting and yes, I was told of the exchange between head coach Robert Saleh & Woody Johnson by someone in attendance. Others on-site Sunday night have since reached out and described the interaction differently. My intent wasn't to break news, I leave that to the insiders. My sincerest apologies to the Jets organization for the unnecessary distraction during such a crucial part of their offseason,» she said in the statement, which was posted to X.

The Johnson-Saleh relationship has been under the microscope since