New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh was fired after a disappointing start to the season and rumors about his relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Jets owner Woody Johnson announced the decision on Tuesday, October 8, citing the team’s failure to meet expectations as the reason for Saleh’s dismissal. Saleh, who had a 20-36 record as head coach since being hired in 2021, was thanked for his hard work over the past three-and-a-half years.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been named as the interim head coach for the Jets for the remainder of the season. The team currently has a record of 2-3 and has lost two consecutive games after starting the 2024 season with high hopes. Much of the focus has been on quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who had been healthy entering the season after suffering an injury in 2023. Speculation about tension between Saleh and Rodgers has been prevalent, especially following an incident where Rodgers pushed Saleh away when he went in for a hug after a game against the New England Patriots.
Both Saleh and Rodgers downplayed the incident, with Rodgers stating that Saleh is not a “big hugger” and explaining that the push was related to a reference about having a two-score lead. Saleh similarly dismissed any awkwardness and reiterated the importance of having a two-score lead in games. Despite the victory over the Patriots being Saleh’s last as head coach, tension continued to simmer, with Rodgers disagreeing with Saleh’s comments after a loss to the Denver Broncos regarding the team’s ability to handle his snap cadence.
Rodgers maintained that he had a good relationship with Saleh in the days leading up to the coach’s firing, citing their communication and friendship outside of football. However, Saleh’s departure was still confirmed, with Ulbrich taking over as interim head coach for the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills on October 14. The situation has been a source of speculation and debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the dynamics between Saleh and Rodgers and how it may have impacted the team’s performance. Despite the challenges faced by the Jets, they will need to regroup and move forward under new leadership.
