Robert Saleh

Jets Notes: Johnson, Rodgers, Hackett

December 20th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Thursday brought a strange revelation from Jets headquarters, bringing Madden into the strange role of roster determinations. Beyond the Jerry Jeudy near-trade quickly becoming one of the odder what-ifs in recent NFL history, the Jets may need to run through some other matters as they attempt to make quality GM and HC hires.

Some of the dysfunction reported does stem from Aaron Rodgers, who effectively kept Nathaniel Hackett employed as the team’s play-caller coming into the season. Before the Jets launched a stealth search for a coach who would cut into Hackett’s duties, The Athletic’s well-detailed Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt and Michael Silver report indicates Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall expressed were not happy with the embattled OC throughout last season (subscription required). This may well have led to a meeting that helped the Rodgers-Woody Johnson relationship reach its present point.

Rumblings circulated that Johnson wanted to fire Hackett after the 2023 season, but Rodgers is believed to have stepped in to prevent that from happening. Rodgers has been close with Hackett since their Green Bay days, long stumping for the veteran OC. This included an offseason meeting with Johnson that “didn’t go over well” with the owner, per The Athletic. Rodgers had brought up this matter with Johnson. Months later, the owner attempted to have the QB benched.

Shortly after that benching effort, Johnson went around GM Joe Douglas and fired Robert Saleh. While Rodgers was accused of being complicit in that ouster, The Athletic notes the quarterback’s conversation with Johnson included a request the owner remain patient with the head coach. This also runs counter to Johnson’s claim the two did not discuss Saleh in that meeting. As could be expected, Rodgers had also told Saleh he disagreed with the then-HC’s decision to demote Hackett — a move interim HC Jeff Ulbrich ended up carrying out anyway.

Going back to Rodgers’ lost 2023 season, the Jets being mathematically eliminated in Week 14 had led Rodgers to cool down his crusade to return from his Achilles tear before season’s end and instead gear up for 2024. This involved continuing to rehab in Los Angeles, but The Athletic adds Johnson pushed the quarterback to come back to New York and return to practice. This prompted the Jets to use one of their injury activations on a player who did not end up playing again. Rodgers expressed disappointment he was activated as it cost fullback Nick Bawden a roster spot. Rodgers said during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the activation — which occurred in Week 16 — was not his idea.

Other strange quarterback incidents have occurred during Johnson’s recent years back from his role as ambassador to the United Kingdom. He is believed to have criticized then-starter Mike White in front of other players, following a Week 17 loss to the Seahawks in which White played through broken ribs. Allegedly saying, “You should throw your helmet; you f—– suck” in reference to White postgame, per Russini, Rosenblatt and Silver. Johnson later apologized to the QB once the owner’s comments eventually got back to him, per a Jets spokesperson. White left in free agency weeks later, leaving the Jets without veteran protection once Rodgers went down.

Postgame criticism from the Johnsons has not been isolated to quarterbacks, as The Athletic adds the owner’s teenage sons — Brick and Jack — were heard “loudly” criticizing multiple players after the Jets’ Week 17 loss to the Browns in 2023. In a separate matter related to access, Johnson also had members of his investment group at Jets draft and free agency meetings this year. These revelations, among others involving access to the team’s locker room, will not exactly endear the Jets to free agents.

Additionally, in a matter perhaps stranger than the Jeudy process, Johnson is believed to have told Douglas to keep the Jets’ Mr. Irrelevant draft choice (No. 257) and instead trade 256 to the Broncos. Denver had asked for No. 257 in the pick-swap trade for Zach Wilson, but the teams ended up finalizing a weeks-long negotiation in a trade that included No. 256 going from Denver to New York. This would be a rather shocking footnote for an eventful Jets year, as this report would have Johnson valuing Mr. Irrelevant-related publicity over a slightly better pick.

White and Wilson are long gone, while Rodgers is viewed as on his way out. But the 2024 Jets draft also included another quarterback, Jordan Travis, chosen in the fifth round. This will amount to a redshirt season for the Florida State alum, who has been on the reserve/NFI list throughout the season. Ulbrich said (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini) the ankle injury that altered the Seminoles’ CFP hopes last year remains an issue, indicating Travis has suffered setbacks in his recovery this year.

Unlike Hendon Hooker last year, Travis does not appear set to move onto his team’s active roster before season’s end. This would mean Travis’ contract would toll, extending his rookie deal through 2028. Travis has bigger hurdles to navigate in the short term, however.

Johnson is viewed as likely to stay with the Jets following this season. The news of Donald Trump’s second presidential administration tabbing someone else (banker Warren Stevens) as the UK ambassador surprised Johnson, according to The Athletic. The owner will continue to play the lead role in hiring a coach and GM, doing so after brother Christopher Johnson hired Douglas and Saleh. Some hesitation from candidates certainly could be part of the fallout from recent events becoming public.

Joe Douglas Fallout: Jets, Johnson, Rodgers, Saleh, Brown, Ravens

November 19th, 2024 at 8:50pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Jets’ firing of general manager Joe Douglas was not necessarily a surprise given the team’s struggles during his tenure, but Tuesday’s announcement still felt unusual with six games remaining in the season. Douglas’ contract was set to expire after the 2025 season, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, giving New York a natural transition point as they attempt to rebuild from a disastrous two years since trading for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

However, Jets owner Woody Johnson grew impatient after his team dropped to 3-8 after giving up a fourth-quarter lead to the Colts in Week 11. Rather than wait until the offseason to find his next general manager, Johnson opted to fire Douglas so he could begin the search for a successor without any internal awkwardness, according to Cimini.

Johnson’s statement announcing Douglas’ departure included a note that the team “will begin the process to identify a new General Manager immediately,” though the Jets cannot interview any external candidates until the end of the regular season. Here is the latest coming out of the Jets’ GM firing:

Douglas’ days were clearly numbered when he was cut out of Johnson’s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh in October. The fact that Douglas lasted more than a month longer than Saleh surprised some in New York, per Cimini. Since the team was openly pursuing Davante Adams while trying to resolve Haason Reddick‘s holdout, the Jets may have wanted to keep Douglas around for appearance’s sake until those moves were finalized.
However, Douglas “lost most of his authority” after Saleh’s firing, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, with other Jets executives handling negotiations with the Raiders and Reddick, both of which had stalled under Douglas. Since stepping back from his duties, Douglas “had become disenchanted in recent weeks,” per Cimini, “hoping a miracle turnaround might change things.”
Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown could be a candidate to become the Jets’ next general manager, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. Brown interviewed for the Raiders’ GM gig during the offseason and turned down a request from the Patriots to interview for the same position. However, Johnson has largely listened to “nonfootball yes men” as the Jets’ owner, with outside criticism driving too much of the team’s direction, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Johnson ponied up a six-year, $20MM contract to secure Douglas to lead the front office in 2019, but money will only go so far to lure a would-be general manager who wants to execute his own vision for the franchise’s future.
Johnson even suggested benching Rodgers after a 10-9 loss to the Broncos in Week 4, per Zach Rosenblatt and Diana Russini of The Athletic. Douglas and the coaching staff had to convince Johnson to stay the course with Rodgers to avoid embarrassing the mercurial quarterback and upsetting the locker room.
Douglas’ next career move could be returning to Baltimore, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. He began his front office career as a Ravens scout in 2000 and remained in the team’s personnel department until the Bears hired him as director of college scouting in 2015. Douglas still enjoys a solid reputation in Baltimore, and he drafted several excellent young players in New York, including Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Jermaine Johnson, Breece Hall, and Michael Clemons all in 2022.
With their owner cleaning house and questions circling around Rodgers’ future in New York, the Jets’ locker room has “checked out,” according to SNY’s Connor Hughes. “Players aren’t angry or annoyed at their 3-8 record. They’re, as one person described, “just ready for it to be over.”

Jets GM Joe Douglas On Future With Team, Robert Saleh Dismissal; Latest On Owner Woody Johnson

November 10th, 2024 at 12:10pm CST by Rory Parks

At his midseason press conference on Wednesday, which lasted less than 10 minutes (h/t Rich Cimini of ESPN.com), GM Joe Douglas offered a few terse, notable non-answers with respect to owner Woody Johnson’s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh without Douglas’ input.

When asked whether he agreed with Johnson’s call, Douglas did not answer directly. He merely said that he had nothing more to add to the conversation and that, “I serve at the pleasure of the owner” (per Brian Costello of the New York Post, Douglas and Saleh enjoyed a close relationship, and Costello believes it unlikely that Douglas would have recommended Saleh’s dismissal).

In the immediate aftermath of Saleh’s ouster — which Cimini says upset some players — it was reported that Douglas would at least survive the current season. However, 2024 is the last year of his contract, and unless the 3-6 Jets surge to a playoff berth, it would be surprising if Douglas is retained for 2025. While he does have some highlights on his resume, the 30-62 record he has compiled over his five-plus seasons at the top of Gang Green’s front office and the abject failure of his Zach Wilson selection would likely be too much to overcome if New York does not qualify for the postseason.

That said, he indicated he is still hopeful that the Jets can make a playoff push, and he cited his club’s improved performance in a Halloween win over the Texans as reason for optimism. When asked about his own job security, he said, “I come in here every day, just do whatever I can to help this team reach its goals and get to its destination. Whatever happens, happens” (via Cimini).

In addition to the win-now acquisition of wide receiver Davante Adams — which, per Cimini, was done with an eye towards improving the locker room culture as well as the on-field product — Douglas followed through on a trade of fellow wideout Mike Williams, securing a fifth-round pick in a draft (2025) that he may not get to oversee. Douglas signed Williams to a one-year, $10MM deal this offseason, and he indicated during his presser that Williams’ inability to get on the field during spring work and for a portion of training camp undermined his Jets’ tenure.

“Not being part … of OTAs, not being able to be part of a majority of training camp, just could never really get that synched up,” Douglas said (via Costello). “This is a great opportunity for him to have a fresh start. It’s a move that we wouldn’t have made had we not felt good about the guys we have in the room. Us acquiring a player like Davante gives us the flexibility if a team wants to be aggressive to acquire a player like Mike, we can do that.”

When Saleh was hired, Johnson was serving as the ambassador to the United Kingdom for then-President Donald Trump. His brother, Christopher Johnson, worked with Douglas in running the HC search and bringing Saleh aboard.

Following Trump’s recent re-election, many believe Woody Johnson will again depart the team to return to the U.K. or to accept a different appointment, as Costello reports in a separate piece (a report that Ian Rapoport of NFL.com echoes). However, such an appointment would likely not happen until Johnson has had time to make a decision on Douglas’ future, set a budget, and hire the team’s next permanent head coach. Christopher Johnson would then step back in to oversee day-to-day operations.

Robert Saleh Working With Packers

October 23rd, 2024 at 9:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Robert Saleh turned up at Packers practice Wednesday, and it does not appear the recently fired Jets HC was merely visiting. Matt LaFleur has a role in mind for the veteran defensive coach.

Crediting Saleh with helping him break into the NFL coaching ranks, LaFleur said (via ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky) Saleh will work with the team through Thursday in a fluid role. Saleh was not expected coach elsewhere this season, but he has decided to help LaFleur for at least this week.

Saleh and LaFleur lived together while graduate assistants at Central Michigan in the 2000s. Saleh then encouraged Gary Kubiak to hire LaFleur as a Texans offensive assistant in 2008, Demovsky adds. LaFleur was the best man at Saleh’s wedding. Were Saleh to backtrack on a plan to stay out of coaching for this season’s remainder, it would make sense for that change of heart to involve the Packers.

The Jets fired Saleh after five games this season. Woody Johnson made the decision, going around GM Joe Douglas to do so. Saleh has remained in touch with interim Jets HC Jeff Ulbrich and would stand, based on his 49ers past and the Jets’ defensive turnaround over the past three seasons, to be a coveted DC candidate come 2025. Saleh, 45, may well stay busy in the meantime.

Some Jets players, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, view Johnson as acting too quickly. As a result of this — and presumably the team’s two losses under Ulbrich — less-than-ideal vibes are present in the locker room. Saleh went 20-36 as Jets HC, though much of that tenure involved QB bust Zach Wilson at the controls. Johnson cited a lack of belief in Saleh’s ability to turn this season around. While Ulbrich and Aaron Rodgers could eventually do so, they have dug a deeper hole since the full-time HC’s firing.

LaFleur said Saleh is working on the offensive side, but the temporary assistant has a history with new Packers DC Jeff Hafley as well. Hafley worked under Saleh as San Francisco’s DBs coach from 2017-18.

Jets GM Joe Douglas Not On Hot Seat?

October 10th, 2024 at 3:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

Robert Saleh‘s firing (or at least the timing of the decision) came as a surprise to many inside the Jets’ organization, and it has led to speculation about further changes being on the horizon. For the time being, though, general manager Joe Douglas appears to be safe.

The 2023 season was marred by offensive struggles, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers‘ Week 1 Achilles tear resulted in ownership giving the franchise’s key decision-makers a mulligan. Five weeks into the current season, Saleh has been dismissed and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has been stripped of play-calling duties. Plenty of attention will therefore turn to the performances of interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich and passing came coordinator Todd Downing as the season unfolds.

Douglas was among the key personnel who avoided the threat of being fired after last season. Another campaign out of the playoffs would of course result in increased pressure for a front office change, but as things stand one does not appear imminent. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes owner Woody Johnson holds Douglas and Ulbrich in high regard, and they will have a 12-game audition period to create the possibility of remaining as a tandem for next year. As Fowler notes, Douglas’ contract will expire after the 2024 campaign, so his job security could change over the coming weeks.

After a lengthy tenure serving as a Ravens scout, Douglas spent a single season as the Bears’ college scouting director. That was followed by a stint as the VP of player personnel in Philadelphia and then, in 2019, his current position at the helm of the Jets. Douglas’ tenure consists of a 29-59 record with his rebuilding efforts being set back by multiple failed quarterback draft investments. The Rodgers trade acquisition was aimed at immediate contention, but after a 7-10 season (largely without him available) and a 2-3 start to the current campaign, improvement will be needed moving forward to meet that goal.

Fowler reports Johnson had “concerns” about Saleh’s leadership, adding tension was believed to exist between the fourth-year coach and the Jets. While that issue did not rise to the level of a mutiny being possible, players were known to be frustrated by the team’s consistent struggles on offense. Johnson was serving as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom when Saleh was hired, a factor which no doubt impacted his thought process before singularly deciding to replace him with Ulbrich.

The latter will be tasked with overseeing improvement on offense with Downing calling plays. Reaching the postseason would help their respective job securities while also boosting Douglas’ chances of remaining in place for a seventh season as general manager.

Robert Saleh Not Planning To Join Another Coaching Staff In 2024

October 9th, 2024 at 11:07am CST by Nikhil Mehta

Despite calls from 49ers fans who want Robert Saleh to return to San Francisco, the now-fired Jets coach has no intention of taking another coaching job during the 2024 season, per Michael Silver of The San Francisco Chronicle.

Instead, Saleh is going on vacation with his family before preparing for the 2025 NFL hiring cycle, when he should be a popular candidate for teams in need of a new defensive coordinator. The Jets’ defense has consistently been one of the best in the league since Saleh’s arrival in 2021, ranking in the top three of points per drive, EPA per play, and success rate allowed, according to ESPN’s Benjamin Solak. That followed a strong stretch as defensive coordinator of the 49ers from 2017 to 2020, which earned Saleh the gig in New York.

Saleh’s firing was so sudden that he did not get a chance to meet with his players before he left the building, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz. However, Saleh’s departure from the building has, to a degree, been blown out of proportion by rampant speculation. He was not physically ejected from the Jets’ facility, merely escorted out by security in a common corporate practice, according to Peter Schrager of NFL Network.

Saleh’s defensive pedigree could likely land him a position with another NFL team this season if he wanted it, with the Texans (who employ ex-Saleh staffer DeMeco Ryans as HC) also looming as a natural fit. But the three-plus-year Jets HC seems content to collect the remainder of his 2024 salary from the Jets as he contemplates his future. One year remains on Saleh’s Jets contract, a five-year deal that ended up producing a 20-36 record.

Jets Fire HC Robert Saleh

October 8th, 2024 at 10:12pm CST by Sam Robinson

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 1977; Lou Holtz quit to take an Arkansas HC offer in 1976. 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. This has put Hackett under fire, as the former Broncos HC has gone through a disastrous stretch since his Green Bay run ended. Despite this, Hackett remains in place as the Jets’ play-caller; New York’s offense ranks 23rd in DVOA, 25th in points and 27th in yardage.

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 QB 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. Christopher Johnson, who served as acting owner during his brother’s ambassadorial stint, hired him. When Saleh was hired in January 2021, 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 into Atlanta’s DC role in 2020, when Raheem Morris took over as Falcons 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.

Despite the Jets having a chance to claim the AFC East lead Monday night against the Bills, Saleh will not have a chance to see a turnaround through. 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.

Jets’ Robert Saleh Planned To Strip Nathaniel Hackett Of Play-Calling Duties

October 8th, 2024 at 9:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

Robert Saleh was fired on Tuesday, but the Jets’ head coaching change was not the only major shake-up which was discussed. The status of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was set to change not long before Saleh’s dismissal.

The fourth-year head coach was “seriously contemplating” the idea of firing Hackett, per a report from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. That decision may have come as early as Tuesday, but given the events which have since taken place that is of course no longer possible. Hackett’s job is safe, although his role could still be altered soon.

Refuting Jones’ report, SNY’s Connor Hughes states firing Hackett was never actually on the table. He and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk add that Saleh was, however, planning on stripping the much-maligned OC of his play-calling duties ahead of Week 6. Had Saleh followed through with that plan, passing game coordinator Todd Downing would have called plays with Hackett remaining on New York’s staff. The latter has faced questions throughout his New York tenure, with the team having sought out an offensive staffer to oversee him this offseason.

It was later learned former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was one of the coaches who was contacted by the Jets about such a role. He declined the team’s interest before ultimately taking the Steelers’ OC gig. That left Hackett – a close friend of quarterback Aaron Rodgers who enjoyed a successful run with him in Green Bay – in charge of an offense which struggled mightily in 2023. Rodgers’ Week 1 Achilles tear gave the coaching staff (along with general manager Joe Douglas) a mulligan for the current season, but things have not gone according to plan so far on offense.

A healthy Rodgers (at least, aside from the low ankle sprain he suffered on Sunday and the knee injury he dealt with from the week prior) led to renewed expectations for Hackett’s unit. The Jets rank 23rd in offensive DVOA so far, though, compared to a 12th-place ranking on defense by the same metric. Optimism for improvement did not exist amongst players or coaches if Hackett remained in charge of the offense, and owner Woody Johnson has been critical of the ex-Broncos head coach’s recent performances. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich did not immediately say who will handle play-calling duties as he takes over the 2-3 team.

If Downing were to be tapped for that role, he would be in position to lead an offense for the first time since his Titans tenure ended in 2022. The 44-year-old was retained by the organization following a November DUI arrest in that year, but he was fired at the end of the campaign. Tennessee ranked mid-pack in scoring and total offense in 2021, but the following year the team dropped to 30th and 28th, respectively, in those departments. Downing was nevertheless able to quickly land his current gig with the Jets, and he could be in line for added responsibilities.

With Saleh being fired minutes after his play-calling plan had been made known, per Hughes’ report, it will certainly be interesting to see if Ulbrich carries it out. If Hackett does retain control of the offense, though, he will no doubt face increased scrutiny as the Jets attempt to pivot from the Saleh era to the playoffs.

Jets Fallout: Johnson, Douglas, Saleh, Hackett, Rodgers, Ulbrich

October 8th, 2024 at 9:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Jets’ decision to fire Robert Saleh five games into his fourth season “blindsided” the well-liked but embattled HC, and the call did not involve Saleh’s football ops partner.

Jets ownership went around GM Joe Douglas when making this call, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt report. The sixth-year New York GM was not involved in the decision to fire Saleh, and Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager reports Douglas was not in the meeting in which the coach was informed the team was ending his tenure. This certainly casts some doubt about Douglas’ long-term future with the Jets.

Woody Johnson is contradicting this part of the Saleh fallout, indicating Tuesday he did consult with Douglas on the firing. The owner, however, said (via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo) the decision to let Saleh go — the first in-season Jets HC firing since 1975 — was his alone. Johnson has now fired Saleh, Rex Ryan and Eric Mangini. Buying the Jets in 2000, Johnson saw Al Groh resign; he then traded Herm Edwards‘ rights to the Chiefs in 2006 and was serving as the United States’ ambassador to the United Kingdom when Todd Bowles was fired (under brother and acting owner Christopher Johnson). Christopher joined Woody in the firing meeting with Saleh on Tuesday.

Russisi and Rosenblatt add a lack of accountability on the offensive side of the ball did not sit well with the Jets’ defensive players. New York ranks second in total defense this season and fifth in points allowed per game; that contrasts greatly with the team’s offensive output (18.6 points per game, 25th in the NFL). Struggles of a similar nature were of course present throughout last season, and continued issues with offense led to questions regarding offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett‘s job security.

The former Packers OC (who spent time in Green Bay during part of Aaron Rodgers‘ tenure there) endured a disastrous stint as head coach of the Broncos in 2022, being fired before his debut Denver campaign had even ended. That was followed by Hackett’s Jets hire, a move which ultimately allowed him to reunite with Rodgers. Things have not gone according to plan in New York, however, with the 44-year-old play-caller taking repeated criticism.

Indeed, the Athletic report notes Hackett does not have much support amongst players or coaches at this point. SNY’s Connor Hughes adds Woody Johnson has been critical over the past few weeks in particular. During a rain-soaked home game against the Broncos, the Jets managed only nine points in a low-scoring loss. That was followed by Sunday’s London contest, during which New York trailed 17-0 at one point. As of now, Hackett’s job is safe, although interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich noted on Tuesday all elements of the offense will be under evaluation (h/t ESPN’s Rich Cimini).

Given the fact the Jets only trail the Bills by one game in the division, along with their continued success on defense, today’s firing was not expected by any party outside of ownership. Hughes reports members of management along with coaches and players were “stunned” by Saleh’s dismissal (video link). That sentiment will no doubt linger if the team continues to struggle on offense over the coming weeks. The unit’s recent struggles were not solely responsible for today’s move, though.

When speaking to the media, Johnson noted (via Cimini’s colleague Kimberley A. Martin) the past two losses were not the only driving factor in his decision to move on from Saleh. He expressed confidence in Ulbrich’s ability to guide the team toward the postseason in 2024, something which would end the franchise’s 13-year playoff drought. Given the talent level on the roster, that remains the expectation.

Johnson said he views the 2024 Jets as the best of his ownership tenure, adding the current iteration is “one of the most talented teams ever assembled” in the organization’s history (h/t Brian Costello of the New York Post and Garafolo’s colleague Ian Rapoport). Slight improvement in terms of offensive efficiency would give New York at least a strong chance at a wild-card berth, particularly if the defense were to remain healthy. On that note, Rodgers’ status given his knee injury suffered in Week 5 and his low ankle sprain from Sunday will of course be worth monitoring closely.

The relationship between Rodgers and Saleh had remained a talking point throughout the 2024 campaign, although the four-time MVP recently offered public assurances things were not strained between the two. Veteran insider Jordan Schultz reports the partnership was indeed in a good place at the time of today’s decision. Given Rodgers’ major influence on organizational decisions, though, many have speculated he had a hand in Saleh (rather than Hackett) being the one dismissed. Johnson said (via Martin) he and Rodgers spoke last night, but not about any potential coaching changes. He repeated the move was his alone, stating Rodgers had no say in the matter (h/t Cimini).

As could be expected, Schultz adds that Ulbrich will have the opportunity to earn the head coaching gig on a full-time basis. How the next 12 games play out will determine his candidacy, but he takes on the current role with a strong reputation inside the organization. As players, staffers and management alike seek to move forward from the surprise of Saleh’s firing, Ulbrich will face high expectations over the remainder of the campaign.

Sam Robinson contributed to this post.

Jets Not Planning To Fire Nathaniel Hackett

October 8th, 2024 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

Under intense scrutiny essentially since he took over as Jets offensive coordinator, Nathaniel Hackett remains in place after Robert Saleh‘s Tuesday-morning ouster. The Jets are not planning to can the embattled OC, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Considering Hackett’s ties to Aaron Rodgers, this is unsurprising. The Jets have gone through interesting efforts to curb Hackett’s power, however, having made an effort to hire an assistant that would limit the ex-Packers OC’s reach in the building. That plan, which looked to have Saleh’s fingerprints on it based on his view of Hackett coming out of last season, did not come to fruition.

Hackett surviving may have caught some in the organization by surprise. Rather than Saleh being in jeopardy of losing his job post-London, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes some suspected Hackett to be closer to the chopping block. Jets front office figures have been scrutinizing Hackett’s work recently, Hughes adds. Rodgers, though, has endorsed Hackett on numerous occasions — including this offseason.

Hackett, 44, is no stranger to in-season firings. The Jaguars removed him from his OC post during the 2018 season. More memorably, the Broncos made him one of the few first-year HCs in NFL history to be fired before his first season ended. Hackett’s disastrous Denver stint lasted all of 15 games. The Jets, however, hired him to call plays soon after. The move certainly had an impact on the team acquiring Rodgers, who was near retirement at the time Hackett signed on to call Jets plays.

Scrutiny aside, Hackett has the backing of Rodgers, effectively an organizational power broker given his importance to this Jets regime’s chances of sticking around beyond 2024. Seemingly, the only chance that happens is if interim HC Jeff Ulbrich leads a turnaround. Hackett’s tie to Rodgers, stemming from three seasons as a non-play-calling Green Bay OC, has proven strong enough to stabilize — to a degree, at least — the second-generation NFL coach’s career.

The Jets’ Zach Wilson offense fared worse under Hackett than it did with Mike LaFleur calling the plays. The Jets’ 10 touchdowns through 12 games last season represented the fewest in that timespan to start a season since 2000. New York ranked 29th in scoring and 31st in total offense last season. Even with Rodgers back this year, Hackett’s West Coast Offense-based attack sits 25th in points and 27th in yards. They sit 23rd in offensive DVOA.

Sean Payton memorably called Hackett’s 2022 performance one of the worst coaching jobs in NFL history. The latter’s short tenure points to the organization agreeing, as Russell Wilson bottomed out to display a shocking decline that, for the first time, injected real doubt about the former Super Bowl winner’s Hall of Fame case. Wilson rebounded, to a degree, under Payton last season. The Broncos appeared disjointed in 2022, and Hackett ceded play-calling duties to QBs coach Klint Kubiak late in his abbreviated tenure. Denver featured three play-callers that year, with OC Justin Outten succeeding the dismissed Hackett in that role.

The Jets have a former OC on their staff, in Todd Downing, who serves as QBs coach and the team’s pass-game coordinator. Downing has received two chances at being an OC, having served in the role for the 2017 Raiders and then for the Titans from 2021-22. Tennessee fired Downing after the ’22 season, weeks after he was arrested on a DUI charge.

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