The New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jets informed Robert Saleh of their decision minutes ago. There will be a new head coach for Monday night’s game vs. Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/0DYjm0cLKZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2024
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been promoted to interim head coach.
Saleh, 45, arrived in Florham Park, NJ, in 2021 as general manager Joe Dougals’s first head coaching hire. At the time, Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson headed up the organization in his brother’s stead. (Chairman Woody Johnson was, of course, serving as President Thump’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom.)
After firing Adam Gase, the Jets hired Saleh to a five-year contract. In four-plus seasons, the now-fired head man went 20-36.
In the first three years of his Jets tenure, the narrative surrounding Saleh featured the lack of production at quarterback. Paired with rookie Zach Wilson, Saleh’s Jets career didn’t exactly start on fire.
Marred by injuries and controversy, the first two years bled into the Aaron Rodgers trade—which was derailed in Week 1 last year by a torn Achilles.
The 2024 season was supposed to be different. With Rodgers leading the offense, this talented Jets roster was picked by many to capture the AFC East. Starting 2-1—after an impressive victory over the New England Patriots in Week 3—Saleh’s squad faltered in the most recent two contests.
Worse yet, a familiar Saleh issue reared its ugly head in losses to the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings in London: The Jets started the game slowly.
The Jets’ lack of opponent-specific game planning seemingly forced them into rough starts under Saleh. Although the players responded in-game with effort and strategic adjustments, penalties and undisciplined play always hung over the on-field play.
Interestingly, the Jets’ next game, a Monday nighter against the Buffalo Bills, will be played with first place in the AFC East on the line. Even more interestingly, Jeff Ulbrich will head the weekly game plan and take the sideline boss role of the New York Jets.
