Former WFAN host Joe Benigno has retracted the sweeping statements he made about Jets head coach Robert Saleh earlier in the week.
Benigno was the voice of WFAN for 25 years and told Evan & Tikki that Saleh does not like quarterback Zach Wilson.
Benigno initially justified his remarks by sharing texts between Saleh and himself chatting privately about Wilson and the fact that head coaches don’t have a great record when starting their non preferred quarterbacks.
Wilson came in for Aaron Rodgers in their opening day win after the star injured his Achilles but has struggled for form.
The Jets lost 8-13 to the Falcons this weekend with Saleh choosing to start Tim Boyle at line caller.
The New York team are 4-8 for the season and are out if the running for the playoffs.
Benigno apologized for outing Saleh and his outburst.
“First of all, total misinterpretation by me of what he said, okay? I was wrong about that. Basically what he was saying was ‘All this time you’ve been killing Zach, you want him benched, and now you want me to play him?'”
After being thoroughly questioned by Boomer and Gio host Gregg Giannotti for his words he shared with Saleh Benigno admitted Mea culpa once again.
Giannotti was not happy with the first apology, replying, “I think the blowtorching that Boomer is referring to is 1. You’re sharing text messages that you’ve had with Rob Saleh when they’re at the lowest point of the season, on the air at WFAN, that’s 1. And 2. you’re giving out an opinion that you thought Rob Saleh had that he didn’t have. If you’re Rob Saleh, you’re like ‘What in the effing hell is going on here?’”
Benigno was shamefaced into the further apology.
“I mean, I’m on here talking to you now telling you that. I don’t know what else you want me to say about it.”
The Jets will look to 2024 to get a winning season and with Rodgers tracking well from injury Benigno may not be in a position to criticize Saleh.
