New York Jets Part Ways with Head Coach Robert Saleh Amidst Disappointing Start

The New York Jets have officially announced the firing of head coach Robert Saleh, following a disappointing start to the 2024 NFL season. The decision was made public on Tuesday, marking a significant shift for the franchise.

The Jets began the season with a record of two wins and three losses, most recently suffering a 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Saleh’s tenure has been characterized by a lack of success, finishing with a regular season record of 20-36 over more than three seasons without a single playoff appearance. His departure makes him the first head coach to be relieved of his duties this season.

“This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction,” said Jets chairman Woody Johnson in a statement.

Saleh, a product of the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching tree under head coach Kyle Shanahan, was appointed Jets head coach in 2021 after four successful seasons as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. His hiring was historic, as he became the first Muslim American and the third Arab American head coach in NFL history. However, Saleh inherited a tumultuous environment in New York, particularly struggling with instability at the quarterback position, which has plagued the franchise for years.

In his first season, Saleh led the team to a disappointing 4-13 record, despite working with the youngest roster in the league. Notably, the Jets became only the second team since the AFL-NFL merger to have rookies lead the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards.

The 2022 season saw some improvement, with the Jets finishing 7-10. This uptick in performance was largely due to the emergence of talented rookies Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, both of whom received recognition as Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, respectively. Despite these positive developments, the team continued to face challenges, particularly with quarterback Zach Wilson, who was drafted second overall in 2021 but struggled significantly during his first two seasons.

In a bid to turn the franchise around, the Jets acquired four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers before the 2023 season. Hopes soared, but disaster struck as Rodgers ruptured his left Achilles tendon just four plays into his debut, sidelining him for the entire season. This injury forced Zach Wilson back into the starting role, but he faced further struggles, and the offense struggled to find its footing.

Despite the offensive woes, the Jets’ defense thrived under Saleh’s guidance, consistently ranking among the league’s best. The defense finished the 2022 season ranked fourth and was third in the league in 2023. However, the inability to qualify for the playoffs continued to haunt the team, as they again ended the season with a 7-10 record.

Entering the 2024 season, Saleh found himself on the hot seat with playoff expectations looming large over the franchise. However, the Jets stumbled out of the gate, even with a healthy Rodgers returning to action. After failing to meet expectations, the organization felt a change was necessary.

To fill the void left by Saleh’s departure, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been named interim head coach. Johnson expressed confidence in Ulbrich’s ability to lead the team. “He is a tough coach who has the respect of the coaches and players on this team,” Johnson said. “I believe he, along with the coaches on this staff, can get the most out of our talented team and achieve the goals we established this offseason.”

Looking ahead, the Jets face a crucial matchup against the 3-2 Buffalo Bills at home on Monday Night Football. The organization will be hoping that Ulbrich’s leadership can help reignite the team’s aspirations and provide a spark in what has been a challenging season thus far.