Colleen Wolfe walked back her report of a “heated” discussion between New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and head coach Robert Saleh.
On the Around The NFL podcast, the NFL Network reporter said she heard rumblings about a “lively conversation” between Johnson and Saleh during a party Sunday at the NFL meetings. Johnson called the story “absolutely false.”
On Thursday, Wolfe posted a statement on social media clarifying that she wasn’t at the event. She said others in attendance have since “described the interaction differently” than her original source.
“My intent wasn’t to break news, I leave that to the insiders,” Wolfe wrote. “My sincerest apologies to the Jets organization for the unnecessary distraction during such a crucial part of their offseason.”
Johnson, who owns a piece of NFL Media, called Wolfe’s claim “yet another irresponsible report from NFL Network.” Saleh has yet to publicly address the situation.
SNY’s Connor Hughes disputed Wolfe’s claim on Wednesday night. The Jets beat reporter said he witnessed no tense interactions while attending the party and doubted that Saleh would lose his cool with his boss while surrounded by other NFL coaches, executives, owners, and journalists.
Saleh will enter his fourth season as New York’s head coach. The Jets have gone 18-33 under his watch, but Johnson is giving Saleh another opportunity to snap the NFL’s longest playoff drought with a returning Aaron Rodgers in 2024.