Coming into the season coaching for his job, Robert Saleh could not do enough to impress Jets ownership. Five games in, the team will go through with an abrupt course change.
The Jets are firing their fourth-year HC, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. This will end an underwhelming tenure for the veteran defensive coach and invite more questions about the franchise’s direction. Saleh will finish his Jets tenure with a 20-36 record. This news comes on the heels of back-to-back losses — to the Broncos and Vikings, dropping the team to 2-3 — and three straight sub-.500 seasons.
Woody Johnson fired Saleh this morning, blindsiding the HC, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. This is Johnson’s first in-season firing. The Jets had seen every HC finish a season since 1976, when Lou Holtz quit to take an Arkansas HC offer. The Jets had not fired a coach in-season since Charley Winner in 1975.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be named interim HC, according to NFL Network’s Peter Schrager. Ulbrich has been the Jets’ DC throughout Saleh’s tenure, calling the signals on that side of the ball. Given the scrutiny surrounding OC Nathaniel Hackett, he never stood much of a chance to be named the interim option. Ulbrich has a long runway here, given that 12 games remain.
One season remained on Saleh’s contract, Schefter adds. The Jets largely handcuffed Saleh to megabust Zach Wilson, with that partnership extending beyond Year 2 thanks to Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear four plays into the 2023 season. Ownership gave both Saleh and GM Joe Douglas mulligans for 2023, given the franchise’s Rodgers-dependent plan combusting so early. Saleh, 47, has not inspired much confidence this year, as Rodgers has been viewed as the nerve center for the Jets essentially since his April 2023 arrival. That will continue, and Douglas remains in his GM chair. But the latter remains on the hot seat as well.
Hired after four seasons as 49ers DC, Saleh quickly entered an uphill battle thanks to the Wilson pick. The Jets did not add a veteran backup quarterback in 2021, installing Wilson — a BYU product who broke out during a Cougars season that featured an atypical schedule thanks to COVID-19 — as the unquestioned starter from Day 1. Wilson proved quickly he was not up to the job, and Saleh ended up benching the highly touted prospect three times from 2022-23. Ownership not springing for a better backup option in 2023 — inaction largely traced to Johnson’s refusal to spend due to what the franchise already authorized for Rodgers in terms of trade compensation and cash — left Saleh with Wilson for much of last season, leading to a 7-10 record.
Saleh, however, repaired the Jets’ defense early during his run. After a 4-13 2021 squad finished last in both points and yards allowed, the Jets rocketed to fourth place in both categories in 2022. Last season, the Jets finished 12th in scoring and third in yardage defensively. Wilson held this operation back, but Saleh did not do much to confirm he was right to lead the team.
From making comments about Wilson being the best QB option for the Jets (despite having benched him for Tim Boyle last season) to being put on the podium to answer questions about Rodgers and Haason Reddick‘s minicamp absences (for which both were fined, with Reddick never reporting following a March trade), Saleh did not exactly convey strong leadership. Reports of veteran unrest surrounding the HC’s defenses of Wilson emerged at multiple points during Saleh’s tenure as well. The Jets shipped Wilson to Denver this offseason, signing Tyrod Taylor. But Rodgers has largely not looked his MVP self upon return from his injury, either.
The Rodgers trade cranked up the heat on Saleh and Douglas, as the Jets hoped to pair a well-built defense with a four-time MVP. New York’s defense exited Week 5 ranked fifth in scoring and second in yardage, hence Ulbrich’s opportunity over Rodgers’ preferred OC, but friction also appeared to be developing between Saleh and the QB.
Rodgers memorably shoved Saleh away as the HC attempted to embrace the starter on the sideline during a Jets Week 3 win over the Patriots. A loss to the Broncos a week later led Saleh to suggest Rodgers change his cadence, as the team committed five false start penalties. Rodgers bristled at that suggestion, saying the team instead needed to hold players accountable.
Rodgers’ 11th-hour endorsement of Saleh, downplaying the friction, did not do much good. The quarterback, whom a January report pegged as having an outsized influence in the Jets organization, will now work with Ulbrich while continuing to plug away in Hackett’s offense. The Jets had made a backchannel effort to install a veteran assistant to help Hackett after a rough 2023 (which followed the embattled coordinator’s woeful one-and-done as Broncos HC). Saleh had expressed reservations about Hackett last season but kept the Rodgers-backed OC as his offensive play-caller.
It is also worth noting that Woody Johnson did not hire Saleh. Acting owner Christopher Johnson hired him, as Woody was finishing up a tenure as the country’s UK ambassador under then-president Donald Trump. Christopher also hired Douglas in 2019, and the GM will likely need a quick turnaround to avoid an ouster of his own.
Ulbrich, 47, coached at the Senior Bowl this year and received interest from the 49ers. The NFC West team sought to interview Ulbrich for its DC vacancy; Ulbrich played his entire NFL career with the 49ers. Saleh blocked the interview, as teams are permitted for contracted assistants regarding lateral moves. Now, Ulbrich will take a crack at filling Saleh’s post, as this Jets regime attempts to prevent full-scale change.
Ulbrich worked as Falcons linebackers coach from 2015-18, overlapping with former Saleh boss Kyle Shanahan during part of that tenure. The ex-Dan Quinn staffer moved to DC in 2020, when Raheem Morris took over as the Atlanta interim boss. Saleh, as ESPN.com’s Jeff Darlington points out, is the third HC over the past 10 years to be fired in the wake of a London loss; he joins ex-Dolphins and Raiders leaders Joe Philbin and Dennis Allen in that regard.
By being retained for Year 4, Saleh joined a select few modern HCs in surviving after three consecutive sub-.500 seasons. Only six HCs have managed to last into Year 4 without a .500 season in their first three years this century. Dom Capers (Texans) Mike Nolan (49ers), Jeff Fisher (Rams), Gus Bradley (Jaguars) and Jon Gruden (Raiders 2.0) are the other club members.
It will not be hard to see Saleh, after the Jets’ defensive performance since 2022 and based on the 49ers defense’s ascent on his watch, earning a DC opportunity in 2025. But he is out of a job in New York. Now, the Douglas watch begins.
Damn.
“Aaron Rodgers to fire Robert Saleh”
Fixed the headline for them.
I wonder who Rodgers is gonna want.
Let Rodgers be the coach. He is anyway.
As someone who enjoys the Jets circus, I hope they elevate Hackett to HC.
Any number of teams should be blowing up his phone to come “consult” for their defense. Not the best HC, but the man can coach defense. Maybe Dennis Allen could turn things over to him and just focus on overall game management?
Here’s to hoping the team is more disciplined under Ullbrich.
developing into some competition for the 2007 Mets
I think that was 2008 if you’re referring to the bizarre way they fired Willie Randolph. But good call nonetheless.
Watching Rodgers in that London game SOOOO reminded me of watching Johnny Unitas at the end of Super Bowl 3 and just thinking of HOW OLD he looked there. That’s what I see when I look at Rodgers.
You watched SB3, Rodgers wasn’t even alive then. You unclemike are OLD
He compared Rodgers play to another great qb who had a similar career path. And your reply is to point out Rodgers wasn’t born yet and that the OP is old? Save your brain cells
That’s exactly what I thought to point out. They barely have footage of that Super Bowl. There are plenty of examples in recent history that could compare to Rodgers but he wanted to show his age by telling us how he watched that SB. He wanted to be recognized so I recognized him
My guy i don’t think that is the case. But let’s dialogue, what QBs do you think are similar to Rodgers. And then which of those played to a similar age and showed regression like what was displayed in London.
I’ll answer for spooky because it’s easy: Peyton Manning.
By all accounts, Unitas’ play style was closer to Peyton’s than Rodgers’ so it’s basically the same comparison.
I’m glad I wasn’t the only guy that saw that connection. Father Time is still undefeated.
Niners!!! Get him back here!!!
Guess when the owner has wasted so much money on a washed up QB you gotta find someone else to blame
It’s not that much money compared to most QBs. Didn’t even give up a To get him. Crappy QBs like Daniel Jones make $40 million per year.
@andre, at this moment in time, Jones has more yds, higher completion % and qb rating. However, based on history I think we can agree Aaron’s under performance is more a negative to a win now Jets team.
I don’t think he was the problem. Maybe they need a change but I still think Saleh is a decent coach, he hasn’t had a good QB since taking over.
The timing is a little shocking
If the cowboys flounder in the regular season / post season again Dallas should get rid of McCarthy and bring in Saleh.
Saleh did pretty well considering all the obstacles he faced esp at QB.
Saleh was not the problem
Yes and no, I’d say. The issues the Jets have extend way beyond the HC. They’re a poorly run franchise with an aging, arrogant QB that wants to run the show. None of that is Saleh’s fault. I’m not sure there is a HC out there that they could plug in to cover that up.
Saleh also wasn’t the answer in NY, though. They need a strong personality with an equally strong resume, who will also stand up at times and say: “that’s insane, we’re not doing that.” Again, who that is, I have no idea. There is the obvious name, but he’s made some absurd decisions of his own in the post-Brady years.
Well said. May not be the problem, per se, but not the answer, either.
The jets are a super bowl contender according to oooooof and I know nothing. Maybe 5 wins my friend. Rodgers looking as predicted
I said more than five wins. I didn’t say Super Bowl contender.
Super Bowl Contender? You mean pretender? Or is there another Super Bowl I don’t know about?
another great moment in jets history !
I read this as an announcer voiceover in my head.
Slight echo, add a bugle sound.
It all comes down to when you draft poorly, trade poorly, hire poorly, mange poorly it will equal a poor run team. Jets always shoot for the moon and miss, drafting a QB that should have been a 5th round at its best, trade for a 40-year-old QB, acquire everyone he wants, now trying to acquire Adams. Now firing the HC, in hopes this lights a fire underneath this team. Jets had at one time the best team defense; they played off that well. What happen? The Jet offense has not been a major player for this team, now they get a very veteran QB that was thinking retiring at one time, sign ex-packer WR’s, with no offensive line, or run game. Trying to capture lightning in a bottle, is not what builds a championship team. Good drafting, good trades, a strong front office from top to bottom with a good scouting department, this firing is just a put a band-aid on the problem, someone has to be the scape goat and the HC was it. Still have not solve the problem, the Knicks figured it out, the Mets, the Yankees, their is still hope for the Jets except until they come to grips with their own fumbling front office and ownership well all we can do is hope they see the light.
Dumb Sportsball Fans insert NBA references into NFL stories. OINK!
The thing is the Jets generally have drafted very well, but missing at quarterback has undercut them too much.
Great, now since they can’t fire Aaron’s boyfriend Nate Hackett, they needed to get an offensive-minded interim head coach who can handle an offense and usurp Hackett’s control of things. Their interim choice won’t really fix anything.
At this point of the season, Rodgers can’t say “they can handle it”. They can’t.
At this point they’re just wasting a talented roster. By next year they need to go after a 1st round QB and hire somebody like Klint Kubiak to run the team.
Ulbirch already named interim HC
Did you actually read the story? The defensive coordinator is the interim head coach — Jeff Ulbrich has a good rep around the league.
Yeah, I read it, I’m saying what they need to do. It doesn’t matter. Rodgers runs the team. Until they usurp that it’s going to be a merry-go-round.
Next season, wait for it…Bill Belichick is handed the reins to this team!
Who blew the whistle on the Patriots’ spying operation? Eric Mangini — when he was the Jets’ head coach.
Belichick will be the Giants HC next year.
Maybe but don count out two of their division rivals.
Nobody’s hiring a loser in his 70’s to coach in the NFC East.
If you’re going to do it, why now? That team isn’t going anywhere this season.
Jets are 2nd in AFC East on a tie-breaker over Miami. MNF vs. Buffalo next week is for the division lead.
And a team that “isn’t going anywhere” is a team that’s not getting plum TV slots — think Patriots.
Fair points.
A bit surprised he didn’t get at least 8 games this year, but he won’t be out of work long
This team has too much talent to be 2-3. Sauce/Wilson/Hall/Williams etc. I agree that Saleh did take forever to move on from Wilson last year but this year the offense stinks bc of the QB/OC stepbrothers relationship. I think any future coach who wants this job will have to be okay with Rodgers meddling into the franchise’s plans. SMH
So stupid. Saleh was not the problem. The defense has played well, even with Mosley and Johnson out. The players have played hard for him even in lost seasons. Rodgers is banged up and he and Hackett run an outdated offense with too little motion, play action, and deception to scheme people open or create opportunities for a great RB tandem. And why punt on the season this early?
Someone will get a fantastic defensive coordinator next year.
Jets also had their ground game bottled up by Denver and now Minnesota — you can’t win if you don’t have a good rushing attack.
Hackett is the one who should be fired, but Minnesota also shut down SF and Houston. Seems silly to overreact to losing to a buzz saw.
Keep watching this nightmare thru rose colored glasses. This offensive line is putrid. Rodgers is on his last leg LITERALLY. Your defense is defenseless. It’s next year in the rotten apple.
You don’t fire an HC unless you think you can get a better one. Good luck with that!
LoL…as if he’s the problem with this organization.
Come back to SF!!!!
Saleh has the worst winning percentage of any Jets coach (min 40 games) at .357
I know all the “Rodgers runs he team” comments. He did not do that in GB. Why would he do that now?
The Jets are just a bad franchise.
Sounds like someone who prefers the Panthers or Patriots.
I seem to remember hearing in passing a comment that was made in the last televised Jet game that Saleh had just decided to become more of a part of the Quarterback meetings. I wonder if that had anything to do with this firing? I mean would you consider that at this point of his career that Aaron Rodgers wants to have complete control to make in game decisions and play calling?
Joe Flacco would perform better on this team than cooked Rodgers.
I still think they give the Bills a hard time this week.
Rodgers has spoken
Did they leave him in London?
Panic mode. There season is already lost trying to pick up the pieces. Of course Arod doesn’t shoulder any blame, he’s too terrific. Think the Jets fans are ready for him to ayahuasca it up in some cave somewhere far from NY. Hackett is Aaron’s ol snuggle buddy so he’s bulletproof.
Fan of New England? Miami? Dallas? Cincinnati? Carolina?
Jets gonna Jet.
Robert Saleh is a good coach who was given a bad hand in NY. Most of the signings the Jets have made were to keep Rodgers happy. Same as the coaching staff. Those aren’t his guys. Through it all he was still confident and up for the challenge. He’s not without his fair share of blame though.
One of the most uninspiring offenses I’ve seen in a long time.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Until this morning, the Jets had not dismissed a head coach during the season.
Douglass and Hackett should follow at season’s end