Robert Saleh will not make it through his fourth season as the New York Jets head coach.
The Jets fired Saleh on Tuesday after Gang Green moved to 2-3 following their loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London in Week 5.
Why Did the Jets Fire Robert Saleh?
Saleh finishes his tenure in New York with a 20-36 mark, having failed to achieve a winning record in any of his 3+ seasons in the AFC East.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as the Jets’ interim head coach, Peter Schrager of NFL Network reports.
Hired in 2021 after a successful stint as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh was strapped to No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson for his first two seasons in New York. Despite boasting excellent defenses, the Jets couldn’t overcome their struggles under center.
Acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers was supposed to change that. New York traded for Rodgers during the summer of 2023, hoping his addition — combined with a still-elite unit on the defensive side of the ball — would result in wins.
However, Rodgers infamously tore his Achilles on the fourth play of the 2023 campaign, ending the Jets’ season before it started. Rodgers’ 2024 return made this year a make-or-break campaign for New York, and things haven’t gone according to plan.
Outside of a Week 3 Thursday night win against the New England Patriots, Rodgers and the Jets offense has mostly looked stagnant. Gang Green ranks 23rd in scoring through five weeks, while Rodgers is 27th in expected points added (EPA) per dropback and 30th in completion percentage over expectation.
Saleh hired offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in 2023, pairing the longtime Rodgers confidant with the established Jets quarterback. After New York’s offense struggled with Wilson under center last season, the club reportedly looked into hiring another offensive voice to work above Hackett — but no hire was ever made.
Saleh’s relationship with Rodgers was interesting, to say the least.
Rodgers appeared to shove Saleh away after the head coach attempted to embrace the Jets’ QB during the club’s Week 3 victory against the Pats. After Saleh suggested Rodgers’ cadence led to five false start penalties in a Week 4 loss to the Denver Broncos, the veteran QB scoffed at the notion and indicated New York’s offensive line needed to be held accountable.
By EPA per play, Saleh’s defense is still the fourth-best unit in the NFL. Despite playing without 2024 acquisition Haason Reddick (still holding out while waiting for a new contract), the Jets have largely held opposing offensive attacks in check, aside from a Week 1 loss to the 49ers.
Who Is Jets Interim HC Jeff Ulbrich?
Ulbrich, 47, will take over as the Jets’ interim head coach for the rest of the season. With 12 games remaining in the 2024 campaign, he has a chance to make a case for New York’s full-time job.
A 75-game starter at linebacker for the 49ers from 2000 to 2009, Ulbrich coached with the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and UCLA, overlapping with Saleh in Seattle in 2011.
Since 2022, the Cowboys and 49ers are the only teams to post more efficient defenses by cumulative EPA per play than the Jets. While Dallas/San Francisco DCs Dan Quinn, DeMeco Ryans, and Steve Wilks landed HC interviews and job offers, Ulbrich has not.
Ulbrich has called Gang Green’s defensive plays while mixing in first-round picks like Sauce Gardner and Jermaine Johnson II with external additions such as D.J. Reed and Quincy Williams to craft a dominant unit. In addition to his decade-long playing career, Ulbrich is well-respected as a leader of men.
Saleh previously said Ulbrich “checks every single box” NFL clubs could want in a head coach.