"This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as Head Coach of the Jets," team owner Woody Johnson said in a statement.
"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."
The team entered this 2024 campaign with high hopes and Rodgers' return to the huddle after missing nearly all of 2023 with a leg injury. The Jets were blown out in the season opener by the San Francisco 49ers before rebounding with wins over the woeful Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. But the past two weekends have ended in frustrating losses, at home to the Denver Broncos and in London against the Minnesota Vikings.
In addition to the losing, there's also been perceived tension between Rogers and Saleh. The Jets committed five false start penalties in the Denver loss and Saleh said it could be linked to the tricky cadence Rodgers employs when barking out pre-snap signals. And in the win over New England, Rodgers appeared to rebuff an attempted hug from Saleh after a touchdown.
Saleh's Tenure and the Controversial Circumstances of His Firing
At the time of his hiring, Saleh was celebrated as the first Muslim head coach of an NFL team. He was escorted off of team headquarters by the team's security director, NBC Sports reported.
“We commend Coach Robert Saleh for making history as the first American Muslim head coach in NFL history,” according to a statement Tuesday by the Council on American Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights organization. “Although no one should jump to conclusions about why the Jets fired Coach Saleh, the report that Jets security physically escorted Saleh out of the building does raise concerns about the possible motive for such unusual hostility.”
U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., called Saleh’s firing a “raw deal” and pinned the team’s poor fortunes on Rodgers, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the front office and former QB Zach Wilson.
“Robert Saleh got a raw deal and Aaron Rodgers undermined him every step of the way,” Bowman posted on X. ”This was downhill since @nyjets drafted Zach Wilson. Nathaniel Hackett is trash. Saleh kept the defense great through the toughest times. Raw deal.”
The lame duck lawmaker also wondered out loud if Saleh's embrace of his Lebanese heritage could have played any role in this termination. Although Saleh has worn a patch of the Lebanese flag on his in-game gear before, that fashion accessory drew new eyes Sunday in the wake of Israel's ongoing attack on its northern neighbor.
“We are very proud of Robert and the achievements he made in his young career,” American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Executive Director Abed Ayoub said in a statement. “As the first Muslim Arab-American NFL head coach, he has paved the way for future talent in our community. We have no doubt that New York is not the last stop on his coaching and football journey. The community will always be there, cheering on his continued success and growth.”
Saleh is also the third coach in this past decade to be fired after his team lost in London. The Oakland Raiders terminated Dennis Allen in 2014, following an 0-4 start and loss to the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium. Miami fired Joe Philbin after his 1-3 Dolphins lost in 2015 to the Jets, also at Wembley.
What's Next for the Jets?
The Jets' future is now uncertain. They have a talented roster, but they will need to find a way to fix their offensive woes and find a new head coach who can lead the team to success. Ulbrich is a tough coach who has the respect of the players on the team, but he will have a difficult job ahead of him. He will need to find a way to get the most out of Rodgers and the rest of the offense, while also keeping the defense playing at a high level.
The Jets are in a tough spot, but they still have a chance to turn things around. With a new head coach and a renewed sense of purpose, the Jets could be a force to be reckoned with in the AFC East.
The End of an Era for Saleh?
The decision to fire Saleh is a significant one for the Jets. It is the end of an era for Saleh, who was considered to be a rising star in the coaching ranks. He is a highly respected coach, and he will undoubtedly get another opportunity to lead a team in the future. However, for now, his time with the Jets is over.
The Jets are a team with a lot of potential, but they need a coach who can lead them to success. With the right coach, the Jets could be a contender for years to come. However, if they make the wrong decision, they could find themselves in a similar situation as they are now. Only time will tell what the future holds for the Jets.
The Verdict: Was This the Right Call?
It is still too early to tell if this was the right decision for the Jets. The team is still early in the season, and there is still time for them to turn things around. However, it is clear that the team was not heading in the right direction under Saleh. The Jets needed a change, and they have made it. Now, it is up to Ulbrich and the players to prove that this was the right decision.
The Jets have a lot of work to do if they want to make the playoffs. They have a talented roster, but they need to find a way to fix their offensive woes and find a new head coach who can lead them to success. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Jets in the coming weeks and months.
