The New York Jets announced the firing of head coach Robert Saleh after a disappointing 2-3 start to the 2024 season. Team owner Woody Johnson made the decision, stating that the team had not met the expectations set for this year and that it was time to move in a different direction.
Saleh, who had been with the Jets for three and a half years, was thanked for his efforts, but Johnson believed a change in leadership was necessary to improve the team’s performance. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will step in as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Saleh leaves the Jets with a 20-36 record, marking the worst winning percentage (.357) among Jets coaches with at least 40 games. His tenure followed a series of underwhelming seasons, and the team’s struggles on offense despite a strong defensive unit were a recurring issue.
After a 7-10 finish in 2023, Johnson had made it clear that he expected significant progress, but the team’s current record suggested that the improvement had not been achieved. This firing is also significant as it is the first time in Johnson’s 25 years of ownership that a coach was let go mid-season.
The Jets’ recent 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London likely contributed to Saleh’s dismissal. Interestingly, Saleh becomes the third NFL coach to be fired following a London game loss, joining Dennis Allen and Joe Philbin. Despite the Jets’ struggles, Saleh expressed optimism as recently as the day before his firing, stating that he believed the team could still improve. However, the loss of two consecutive games appears to have sealed his fate.
A key storyline throughout Saleh’s tenure was the instability at quarterback, with the Jets starting six different players in his four seasons. The 2024 season was supposed to be a turnaround year, largely due to the return of Aaron Rodgers, who was sidelined after an Achilles injury in 2023. Unfortunately, Rodgers was injured again early in the season, further compounding the team’s offensive woes. Saleh’s inability to find a long-term solution at quarterback was a major reason for the team’s struggles.
Despite rumors of tension between Saleh and Rodgers, both denied any conflict. Rodgers even emphasized the strength of their relationship, noting that they spent a lot of time discussing how to improve the team’s dynamics. Nevertheless, the Jets’ offense under Saleh never reached its potential, largely because of the instability at quarterback, which overshadowed the strong defensive performance during his time with the team.
