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Robert Saleh’s time as head coach of the New York Jets has come to an end. According to multiple sources, including an initial report from ESPN, Saleh was let go on Tuesday.
The Jets have had a rocky start to the season, posting a 2-3 record after Aaron Rodgers made his return from an Achilles injury. Saleh was in his fourth season with the team, finishing with an overall record of 20-36.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2024
According to Albert Breer from The MMQB, Jets head coach Robert Saleh was informed of his firing by owner Woody Johnson upon arriving at work. NFL insider Jordan Schultz noted that despite speculation, Saleh’s relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers remained intact, stating that their rapport was good and that the decision to dismiss Saleh was solely Johnson’s.
During Saleh’s tenure of over three seasons, the Jets recorded a 20-36 record, extending their playoff drought to 13 years. While the decision to part ways with Saleh can be justified given the team’s struggles, it is unlikely to resolve the broader issues facing the franchise.
Saleh, 45, showcased his defensive coaching prowess in New York, helping the Jets become an elite defensive unit once he implemented his strategies. However, he struggled significantly with the offense.
Despite the addition of Rodgers, the Jets’ offensive performance has been disappointing. The team has little to show for its investment in the trade for Rodgers and its draft selections, which include players like Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Zach Wilson, Elijah Moore, and Denzel Mims.
A review of the Jets’ underwhelming 2023 season by Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini of The Athletic painted a less-than-favorable picture of Saleh. There was a sentiment within the team that Saleh relied too heavily on Rodgers’ season-ending Achilles injury as an excuse for their poor record. Players and coaches reportedly grew weary of how much Saleh idolized Rodgers.
One notable incident involved Saleh’s reaction to comments from Rodgers about internal issues being leaked to the press. According to several attendees, Saleh held a meeting shortly after, urging the leaker to come forward, assuring them they wouldn’t face consequences, while also threatening to confiscate their cell phones. Staff members found Saleh’s fixation on the situation puzzling.
Was Saleh the coach to finally lead the Jets to success with more time? Likely not. Is there another coach who could achieve that with the current roster? Probably not either, mainly because the front office went all-in on Rodgers, only for that gamble to backfire.
In his five starts, the four-time MVP has looked like a 40-year-old player recovering from a serious Achilles injury, throwing for 1,093 yards, with seven touchdowns, four interceptions, and an 81.6 passer rating.
Moreover, firing Saleh may reinforce the perception that Rodgers wields significant influence within the organization, which could be detrimental to the Jets.
There is a possibility that a new voice in the locker room could turn the Jets’ fortunes around, especially since two of their three losses were by a single score. This could lead to an inevitable improvement, a phenomenon known as the “new manager bounce” seen in soccer.
However, it appears the franchise is already facing an uphill battle due to decisions made prior to this season, which were beyond Saleh’s control.
