Jets Announce Dismissal of Head Coach Robert Saleh
The New York Jets have announced the dismissal of head coach Robert Saleh, as confirmed on Tuesday. After starting the 2024 season with a record of two wins and three losses, the Jets suffered a 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sunday. During his tenure, Saleh recorded a 20-36 regular season record and did not lead the team to the playoffs over more than three seasons. He is the first head coach to be let go this season. Jets chairman Woody Johnson released a statement saying, “This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.” Saleh, who was part of San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan’s coaching staff, took over as Jets head coach in 2021 after serving four years as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator. He made history as the first Muslim American head coach and the third Arab American head coach in the NFL.
New Leadership Moving Forward
Entering the 2024 season, Saleh was under pressure to deliver a playoff run. Despite Rodgers returning from injury, the Jets have stumbled with a 2-3 start. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been named interim head coach, as confirmed by Jets chairman Woody Johnson. Johnson praised Ulbrich as a respected and tough coach who can maximize the potential of the talented roster. The Jets’ next challenge will be a home game against the 3-2 Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
Challenges and Inconsistencies During Tenure
Robert Saleh took over a challenging situation in New York, where instability—particularly at the quarterback position—marked his time as head coach. In his first season, the Jets finished with a disappointing 4-13 record, but it was the youngest roster in the league. Notably, the Jets became only the second team since the AFL-NFL merger to have rookies lead the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards. The 2022 season saw some improvement, ending with a 7-10 record, thanks in large part to standout rookies Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner, who both earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Quarterback Struggles and Team Performance
However, starting quarterback Zach Wilson, selected second overall in 2021, struggled during his first two seasons, frequently alternating with backups Mike White and Joe Flacco. In 2023, the Jets traded for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, raising hopes for the season. Unfortunately, Rodgers injured his left Achilles tendon just four plays into his debut and was sidelined for the entire year. Zach Wilson stepped back in as starter but was benched again as the offense continued to struggle. Saleh’s defense, however, performed well, ranking fourth and third in the league in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. Yet, the Jets missed the playoffs again, finishing at 7-10.