Jets coach Robert Saleh fired amid disappointing start, Nathaniel Hackett on hot seat
Owner Woody Johnson announced Tuesday that the New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh as the NFL team languished with a 2-3 record to open the 2024 season. The interim head coach for the rest of the year will be defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
High Hopes and a Good riddance of Saleh
Saleh, the Jets’ coach from 2021-22, leaves with a 20-36 mark. Unfortunately, New York had high expectations of their squad to start the 2024 season, especially with quarterback Aaron Rodgers potentially back in the lineup alongside a strong group of receivers but instead lagged behind offensively and was well below where Johnson wanted them to be. The firing of Saleh is the first time Johnson has fired a head coach in-season in his 25-year ownership.
In a statement, Johnson said:
This was a difficult decision, but we did not perform to the level that we are capable of with our expectations. I think we can do better for here and now is the time.
One of the biggest justifications for Saeh’s firing was the Jets’ struggles on offense, which played a major role in their revolving door at quarterback. In his four seasons, they ran six (6) QBs through — Zach Wilson, Mike White, Aaron Rodgers (just kidding😼), Joe Flacco, Trevor Siemian & Tim Boyle.
Nathaniel Hackett is a head-coaching candidate
Following the firing of Saleh, reports surfaced that had offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett possibly moving on as well. Hackett’s job had been in danger during the past few weeks, with members of the team brass questioning his performance, according to reports from SNY’s Connor Hughes. But The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Jets are not likely to fire Hackett after Saleh leaves.
And Hackett, who was supposed to come in and breathe new life into the Jets’ offense with Rodgers leading the way, has already had his work cut out for him after Rodgers tore his Achilles on just four snaps into 2023. The fall on Bortles was slight but many expected a significant reload elsewhere, as expectations were high for the offense under Hackett.
Saleh Leaves Behind Dominant Defense, Weak Offense
The focus will shift to the offensive side of the ball since Saleh’s tenure was full of a stout defense but not many wins due in part to instability at QB. Johnson made no secret of the fact that he expected large strides in 2024 when his team won just seven games and lost 10 last year.
Ultimately, a season during which the defense showed flashes of greatness and was expected to be very good ended as below average in points allowed (19th), giveaways (20th) and sacks per pass attempt faced by opponents (25th). And the stockpile of offensive weapons accumulated over these past three years didn’t get to live up to their potential nearly enough — injuries, inconsistency or other factors held halfback Raheem Mostert out too long and accelerated a separation from him that had been coming for some time.
What’s Next for the Jets?
Jeff Ulbrich will serve as the Jets interim head coach into a season now steaming towards page-turner status. Respected by both coaches and players, Ulbrich, 44, brings a tough, defensive-minded approach that aligns with the Jets’ identity. Yet, this is all about an inept offense and whether Hackett can solve that puzzle could very well dictate how the season plays out.
With the Jets quarterback situation still up in the air, It will be on Hackett and Co. to navigate through this uncertainty for as long as they need to produce results over time.
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