The New York Jets made a surprising move by firing head coach Robert Saleh shortly after his decision to demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. Following two consecutive losses, including a close 10-9 defeat to the Denver Broncos and a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, Jets owner Woody Johnson announced Saleh’s dismissal.
According to a report from SNY TV, Saleh decided to take away play-calling duties from Hackett, who had previously worked with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Just minutes after making this decision, Saleh was summoned to Johnson’s office and relieved of his duties. While Johnson insists the decision to fire Saleh was his alone, the timeline of events raises questions about whether the move had anything to do with Saleh’s handling of Hackett and Rodgers.
Johnson claimed that while he spoke with Rodgers the night before, their conversation didn’t revolve around Saleh’s future. However, Saleh’s firing comes amid rumors of tension between him and Rodgers, with their strained body language during the team’s win over the Patriots in Week 3 sparking further speculation.
The Jets, with a 2-3 record this season, have struggled offensively despite fielding a top-five defense. They rank 25th in points scored and 27th in total yards. Rodgers, returning from a torn Achilles, has shown signs of rust, with 1,093 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions in his five games. The team has also faced issues in the running game and offensive line protection.
In the aftermath of Saleh’s firing, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as interim head coach, while Hackett remains in his role despite the offense’s poor performance. Saleh’s overall record with the Jets was 20-36, and he never won more than seven games in a season.
While Saleh is out, the focus now shifts to whether Rodgers and Hackett can turn the season around. The Jets have historically been patient with struggling coaches, allowing them to finish out poor seasons, but this move suggests Johnson is seeking a change in direction, perhaps with a future head coach already in mind.