The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after a disappointing 2-3 start to the season, which included losses in their last two games. Solomon Wilcots criticized the decision to fire Saleh, suggesting that it was more for appearances than football reasons. Wilcots pointed to the team’s offensive struggles, noting that they had called a disproportionately high number of pass plays in their recent games, leading to several sacks and interceptions by quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Despite the firing of Saleh, the team’s offensive issues remain unresolved.
Aaron Rodgers was expected to help revitalize the Jets’ struggling offense, but the team has continued to struggle on that side of the ball. Last season, the Jets managed to win seven games largely due to their strong defense. With the firing of Saleh, the team promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach in hopes of turning things around. Despite their slow start, a win in their next game against the Buffalo Bills on “Monday Night Football” could potentially put them in the lead for the AFC East.
Wilcots emphasized that the Jets’ decision to fire Saleh was likely influenced by the owner, Woody Johnson, who may have felt pressured to make a change following a loss in London. Despite the strong performance of Saleh’s defense, which ranked among the top in the league in various metrics over the past three years, the lackluster offense ultimately led to his dismissal. Wilcots criticized the team’s offensive play-calling, which heavily favored passing over running in adverse weather conditions, resulting in turnovers and sacks for the team.
The Jets’ offensive struggles have been a recurring issue for the team, as they have scored just 93 points through their first five games this season, matching their output from the previous season with Zach Wilson at quarterback. Wilcots highlighted the contrast between the team’s strong defensive performance under Saleh and their offensive woes, pointing to the need for significant improvements on that side of the ball. Despite the firing of Saleh, the team continues to face challenges in getting their offense on track and putting together consistent performances.
With Rodgers at the helm, the Jets were hoping for a significant improvement on offense to complement their strong defense. However, the team has yet to find their rhythm on that side of the ball, leading to frustrations among fans and analysts. Ulbrich will now have the task of leading the team as interim head coach and finding a way to address their offensive shortcomings. With a win against the Bills, the Jets could potentially turn their season around and compete for the top spot in the AFC East, despite a rocky start under Saleh.
