The New York Jets' 2024 regular season has taken a shocking turn. Jets owner Woody Johnson announced the firing of head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday morning following Week 5's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, England.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2024
Saleh joined the Jets in 2021 following four successful seasons as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator. He leaves the Jets now after a little more than three seasons with a 20-36 record. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as interim head coach for the remaining 12 games on the Jets' schedule.
Parting with Saleh is a sudden and staggering decision by the Jets. The Jets are 2-3 through five weeks, and Saleh's defenses have more than held up their end of the bargain over the past two seasons. They finished third in yards allowed last year and are sitting at fifth in the same category through five weeks of the 2024 season.
Fair or not, Saleh was undone by his inability to field a competent offense. 2021 second-overall pick Zach Wilson failed to develop into a credible franchise quarterback. The Jets tried to rectify that by acquiring former Green Bay Packers great Aaron Rodgers prior to the 2023 season, but an Achilles injury has limited him to six middling appearances. This season, the four-time MVP is on pace for the worst net yards per attempt (5.10) and passer rating (81.6) of his storied career.
Ultimately, salvaging that Rodgers acquisition is likely the primary motivating factor for Saleh's firing. Tensions have appeared high between the two this season, and Rodgers' status in the league makes it easy for ownership to take his side, particularly against a coach as relatively unaccomplished as Saleh. In the coming weeks, the Jets will likely do everything they can to position Rodgers for greater success, up to and including chasing former Rodgers' teammate Davante Adams.
As for Saleh, he'll likely quickly reemerge as an assistant or coordinator whenever he so chooses. As a former Kyle Shanahan disciple, his relationships throughout the league should be strong and far-reaching. Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, Houston Texans head coach Demeco Ryans, and Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel all worked under Shanahan at various points in their career, and they'd all likely be willing to find a spot for Saleh on their coaching staff.
Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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