The New York Jets have dismissed head coach Robert Saleh following a mixed start to the season, as reported by ESPN. The Jets' defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday resulted in a 2-3 record. Saleh's overall record with the Jets stands at 20-36. ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that the team's defensive coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, will assume control on an interim basis and will guide the Jets in their upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Saleh was viewed as a promising talent when the Jets appointed him in 2021, following a successful stint as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. Saleh, who has Lebanese heritage, also made history as the first Muslim head coach in NFL history. He managed to transform the Jets into a formidable defensive unit but struggled to achieve the same for their offense, which suffered due to inconsistent quarterback play. The Jets finished last in the AFC East in Saleh's first two seasons.
Despite having to deal with six different starting quarterbacks during his tenure, Saleh was also part of the decision-making team when New York selected Zach Wilson with the No 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, who has faced significant challenges in the NFL. There were indications of a resurgence last season when the Jets acquired four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who was expected to lead a team filled with young talents back to the postseason. However, Rodgers sustained an Achilles tendon injury on the first drive of the season, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign, and the Jets finished with a 7-10 record.
Rodgers recovered in time to start the 2024 season but, at 40, he is not the player he once was, and the quarterback had to refute rumors of tension between himself and Saleh. Some might consider Saleh's dismissal premature. He was hired for his defensive expertise, and the Jets have remained relatively strong in that area. Although the team is 2-3, they are only one game behind the Bills for the top spot in the AFC East, and Sunday's loss was against the unbeaten Vikings this season.
Team owners Christopher and Woody Johnson must now search for a new head coach. Jets fans might be skeptical about the Johnsons' ability to make the right choice, given that the team has not made the playoffs since 2010.
