USA NEWS – In a surprising move, the New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh just five games into the 2024 NFL season. Despite high expectations following an offseason of big roster moves, the Jets’ 2-3 start, capped by a recent loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, triggered the team’s decision. Saleh, who had been with the Jets since 2021, finishes his tenure with a 20-36 record, failing to lead the team to a winning season. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been named the interim head coach as the team looks to salvage the season. Saleh’s firing comes after another disappointing start, leaving fans and analysts questioning what’s next for the organization, especially after acquiring high-profile talent like quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the offseason.

The firing took place after the Jets’ latest defeat, where their defense underperformed, failing to contain the Vikings’ explosive offense in a close 23-17 game. Rodgers, who had returned to action after an early-season injury, couldn’t ignite the offense enough to secure the win, and Saleh’s leadership came under scrutiny. The team’s management had expected a much stronger start, especially given the veteran additions to the roster, but the performance fell short of those expectations.

Saleh, a former defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, was hired to transform the Jets into contenders. However, despite moments of promise, his time with the Jets was marred by inconsistency and injuries, particularly at the quarterback position. His first two seasons were plagued by a rotating cast of quarterbacks, including rookie Zach Wilson, whose struggles set the tone for a team that could never find its footing. Saleh’s defensive background also didn’t translate into the dominant unit the team had hoped for, leading to growing frustration within the organization.

Jets owner Woody Johnson had been a vocal supporter of Saleh during the coach’s first two seasons but could no longer justify keeping him in the role after the team’s uneven start to 2024. The defeat in London was apparently the breaking point, as the team fell behind in the AFC standings with little sign of immediate improvement. The franchise, long desperate to return to playoff relevance, is now at a crossroads, with Ulbrich temporarily at the helm and uncertainty surrounding the long-term coaching solution.

The team’s struggles weren’t just on the field. Off-field issues, such as questions surrounding player discipline and cohesion, had raised alarms within the organization. Saleh’s calm demeanor, once seen as a stabilizing force, came to be viewed as too passive in light of mounting losses. His failure to turn a roster packed with talent into a competitive team left the Jets’ brass feeling they had no choice but to make a midseason change, hoping it might jump-start a turnaround before the season slips further away.

Ulbrich, who had worked under Saleh as the defensive coordinator, steps in during a critical part of the season. He faces the challenge of navigating a locker room filled with veterans expecting a deep playoff run but also a squad dealing with inconsistency at the quarterback position. The pressure will be immense, as the Jets are still technically in the playoff hunt but will need to string together wins quickly to stay competitive in the AFC.

Saleh’s departure marks the latest chapter in the Jets’ long history of coaching turnover, a trend that has made sustained success elusive. For now, the team and its fans must wait and see if this drastic decision sparks the resurgence they desperately need, or if it signals the beginning of yet another rebuild.