Robert Saleh had no idea that he would be fired by New York Jets owner Woody Johnson on Tuesday morning, ending his tenure as head coach five games into his fourth season.
Saleh told Fox Sports that he was “blindsided” by the events that unfolded on Tuesday, as he arrived at the Jets facility ready to help the team prepare for the upcoming clash against the Buffalo Bills. Instead, he was invited into Johnson’s office and told that he was being fired, with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich elevated to interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
According to SNY, it wasn’t just Saleh who was stunned by the decision, as none of his players or fellow coaches saw it coming either. The Jets are 2-3 this year but due to how the AFC East division has played out, they can move into first place with a win over the Bills in Week 6.
- New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s damning reason for firing Robert Saleh
- New York Jets decide Robert Saleh replacement after firing head coach
Saleh was hired by the Jets in 2021 and signed a five-year contract with the organization, but has failed to manage a winning record in each of his three full seasons. Saleh ended his tenure at the Jets 20-36 and was not allowed the opportunity to complete the year with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
It’s been an inconsistent start by the Jets this season, but certainly not a total collapse. The opening game defeat to the San Francisco 49ers was forgotten after wins over the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots.
The Jets then fell to .500 with an underwhelming loss against the Denver Broncos and failed to stage a major comeback against the Minnesota Vikings in London, Saleh’s last game as head coach. The Jets are in win-now mode after trading for Rodgers last season and are aware that the four-time MVP is nearing the end of his career.
Aaron Rodgers was “good friends” with Robert Saleh at the Jets (
Getty images)
Rodgers missed the entirety of his debut season in 2023 after suffering a torn Achilles on the opening drive of Week 1 and has been looking to build offensive momentum this season. It hasn’t quite clicked in the offense, but now the Jets have gone from one defensive coordinator at head coach to another.
There were signs of tension between Rodgers and Saleh on the sidelines this season, but both insisted they had a good relationship. “We’re really good friends,” Rodgers said. “We enjoy each other. We spend time almost every day in his office talking about things and talking about the energy of the team, focus of the team and what we need to get done, how I can help him out, how he can help me out. So we’ve got a great relationship.”
After dropping to .400 in Week 5, Saleh was asked if he felt under pressure by the media and accidentally predicted his own fate. “Pressure? In New York?” Saleh said while smiling. “You could be an expansion team, and it’s the same amount of pressure. It doesn’t matter. You have to win. It’s New York; the expectation is to win. When you win, you’re going to the Super Bowl. When you lose, fire everybody.”
Leave a Reply