The New York Jets‘ handling of Robert Saleh’s departure has been nothing short of classless, and it’s yet another sign of dysfunction in the organization. After sticking with Saleh for nearly four seasons, they didn’t just fire him-he was escorted out of the building by security. Really? This isn’t some dramatic Hollywood movie, this is real life, and Saleh is a well-respected coach who deserved better treatment.
What’s even more shocking is that this didn’t happen to Saleh’s predecessor, Adam Gase, who was also shown the door but without the added insult of a security escort. It’s a bad look for the Jets and an unnecessary power move. As one insider put it, it’s the equivalent of “deliberately mispronouncing the former employee’s last name during the press conference.” It’s petty, plain and simple.
Aaron Rodgers seems annoyed with coach Saleh’s comments
Let’s not forget that Robert Saleh isn’t the reason the Jets have been struggling. The team’s defense, which Saleh is known for, has consistently been one of the best in the league. In fact, through the first five weeks of this season, the Jets’ defense was ranked second in yards allowed and fifth in points given up. That’s not the problem.
The problem has been the offense, and more specifically, the lack of consistency at quarterback. Saleh was handed a tough deck-Aaron Rodgers was supposed to be the savior, but after his Achilles injury in Week 1 of 2023 season, the team was left scrambling again with Zach Wilson. The Jets cycled through six quarterbacks during Saleh’s tenure, and that instability made it nearly impossible for the team to find any rhythm.
Did Rodgers influenced his firing?
Sure, Rodgers and Saleh were saying the right things publicly, but there always seemed to be tension beneath the surface. Last week’s bizarre dispute about Rodgers’ cadence during games hinted at a disconnect between the two. Yet, sources close to the team insist Rodgers didn’t play a significant role in Saleh’s firing.
For the first time in 25 years, the Jets’ ownership has fired a coach mid-season. It’s a move that reeks of desperation, and to do it in such an unceremonious way is a slap in the face to Saleh, who worked hard despite the uphill battles he faced. Let’s hope the Jets can at least handle the rest of the season with a little more dignity.
Several internal sources indicate, on the other hand, that Saleh’s exit was partly due to pressure from Rodgers, who reportedly had multiple disagreements with the coach, even resulting in a public shoving incident during one of the Jets’ victories.
Until further notice, the team’s defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, will step in as the interim head coach while Johnson considers whether to bring in a new hire or allow Ulbrich to lead the team for the remainder of the season.
