The New York Jets shook up the NFL world on Tuesday when they fired head coach Robert Saleh. The move comes two days after New York lost to the Minnesota Vikings in London to fall to 2-3.
The firing also comes six days before the Jets are set to face the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, where a win will put them in first place in the AFC East.
NFL World Reacts to New York Jets Firing Robert Saleh
The unexpected firing led to swift and pointed reactions across the NFL. Analyst Colin Cowherd sarcastically congratulated the New York Jets organization for “firing the most competent coach” on their staff.
"Congrats, you just fired the most competent coach on your staff."@ColinCowherd reacts to Jets firing Robert Saleh pic.twitter.com/Tw051BYuQM
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) October 8, 2024
NFL on FOX analyst Jay Glazer was among the first to speak to the now-former Jets head coach after the news and reported Saleh felt blindsided by the organization’s decision.
“Just talked to Robert Saleh who said was blindsided by Woody Johnson walking to his office and letting him go. Certainly disappointed he wasn’t going to be given the opportunity to get things going with what he said is a very good roster.”
ESPN NFL Nation Jets beat reporter Rich Cimini tweeted it was a “stunning decision” and suggested the organization’s confidence in Saleh was shaken by the loss two weeks ago to the Denver Broncos.
Former NFL linebacker and current analyst Emmanuel Acho was outspoken and critical of Saleh’s performance as the Jets’ head coach.
“Stop saying, “but Robert Saleh was a great defensive coordinator. He’s wasn’t the defensive coordinator, he was the head coach, and a terrible one! I’m sorry, but I had to sound off!”
Stop saying, “but Robert Saleh was a great defensive coordinator.”
He’s wasn’t the defensive coordinator, he was the head coach, and a terrible one!
I’m sorry, but I had to sound off! 🤬🤬#Jets pic.twitter.com/omnrKsGMXd
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 8, 2024
Others, however, were more favorable in their review of Saleh’s performance.
Fellow ESPN NFL analyst Benjamin Solak added context to the surprising nature of the move by pointing out the Jets’ defensive success since Saleh was hired in 2001, but then noted a failure to solve the quarterback situation ultimately led to Saleh’s firing.
“Since the 2021 season, Robert Saleh’s first in New York, the Jets defense is
- 1st in points per drive
- 1st in EPA per play
- 3rd in success rate
…despite playing the fourth-most snaps over that stretch. Saleh never solved the QB problem, but man. He delivered on defense.”
Former Jets’ defensive lineman Leger Douzable, who didn’t play for Saleh but is now a studio host for CBS Sports and Sirius NFL Radio, was vocal about his disapproval of the move.
“This is utterly ridiculous” he tweeted.
Jets owner Woody Johson spoke with the media the afternoon after letting Saleh go. Johnson said that he spoke to Jets QB Aaron Rodgers on Monday night, but it wasn’t about Saleh. He added that Rodgers had no input in the decision made this morning. However, not everyone believed that. Prominent NFL analyst Warren Sharp pointed out the questionable timing of everything.
“One of the least believable stories to arise from this firing”.
this doesn't pass the sniff test at all
the owner talks to Aaron Rodgers LAST NIGHT…
and surprise fires the Head Coach FIRST THING THIS MORNING
but didn't mention Saleh to Rodgers at all?
one of the least believable stories to arise from this firing https://t.co/qa92OEY2mc
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) October 8, 2024
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniels coined Rodgers the “coach killer”, referencing Mike McCarthy’s dismissal as the Packers’ head coach, Matt LaFleur’s struggles before and after Rodgers left Green Bay, and now Saleh’s six-game tenure.
If you look at the facts, Aaron Rodgers might be a coach killer.
▪️Mike McCarthy fired mid season 2018
▪️LaFleur completely changed the offense for Rodgers & are better now with Love running LaFleur’s offense
▪️Robert Saleh got 6 games. pic.twitter.com/8ehXtgEaWF— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) October 8, 2024
Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel Among Those Tied to New York Jets’ Head Coach Opening
While news of Saleh’s firing continued to circulate, including the update from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would take over as interim head coach, it took almost no time for the masses to begin speculating on who could become New York’s next head coach.
The MMQB’s Albert Breer went to the highest-profile name possible, tweeting out an image of Aaron Rodgers with free agent head coach Bill Belichick.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 8, 2024
Sports media personality Bill Simmons, a popular and outspoken New England sports fan, tapped into the Belichick idea by suggesting New York could’ve avoided a mid-season firing by moving on from Saleh last offseason.
Remember in mid-February when the Jets could have just admitted defeat on the Saleh Era and hired Belichick or Vrabel? pic.twitter.com/aCFmnpNKus
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 8, 2024
What To Expect from Interim Head Coach Jeff Ulbrich
Tuesday’s news marks the first time in Woody Johnson’s 25-year tenure as owner of the Jets that he’s fired a coach midseason.
While the decision is supported by the data, with Saleh holding the worst winning percentage for a Jets head coach with at least 40 games coached (.357), it still puts the team in a precarious position with 12 games remaining on the season.
Monday night’s game against Buffalo is a significant one, as the winner of the contest will be AFC East division leaders through the season’s first six weeks.
Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum provided some sensible analysis and perspective on what’s next for the organization as it moves on from Saleh and hands the reigns over to Ulbrich on an interim basis.
“An interim Head Coach can be an opportunity, Dan Campbell was the interim Head Coach for 12 games in Miami and it immeasurably helped his coaching career.”
An interim Head Coach can be an opportunity, Dan Campbell was the interim Head Coach for 12 games in Miami and it immeasurably helped his coaching career https://t.co/MSZQj0UVU1
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) October 8, 2024
In an interview with talkSPORT well before Tuesday’s news broke, current Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood was glowingly positive about his then-defensive coordinator’s potential of being a head coach one day.
“His connection with all the players, he has a relationship with all the guys. If he does become a head coach one day, he’ll be a great one.”
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo shared footage of Ulbrich meeting with reporters at this past year’s Senior Bowl, where he was head coach of the National team and led them to a 16-7 victory.
“It forced me to kind of look at things from a global perspective.”
