According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets informed Robert Saleh of his dismissal around 10 a.m. ET. Shortly after, team owner Woody Johnson released a statement confirming the firing and announced that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would take over as interim head coach. The Jets, currently 2-3 this season, never had a winning record under Saleh.
On Wednesday morning, Saleh issued a statement expressing gratitude to the Jets organization, players, coaches, staff, and fans. While he thanked the entire team, he did not specifically mention Johnson or quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Saleh, who joined the Jets in 2021 with high expectations after a successful stint as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, inherited a franchise in transition. The team lacked a quarterback but held the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, which they used to select Zach Wilson. However, Wilson’s tenure was widely regarded as a disappointment, and while it’s unclear how much input Saleh had in the selection, he was forced to work with the consequences.
The firing reportedly came as a surprise to Saleh, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. Team owner Woody Johnson explained that expectations were high, and Saleh failed to meet them.
Reports from CBS’ Jonathan Jones suggested Saleh was considering firing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett—one of Rodgers’ preferred coaches—though SNY TV’s Connor Hughes reported that Saleh only intended to demote him.
Saleh’s tenure briefly seemed to take a positive turn when the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers before the 2023 season. At 39, Rodgers still had plenty to offer and was eager to lead the team. However, disaster struck when he tore his Achilles just four plays into the season opener, forcing Saleh to rely on Wilson once again. In 2024, after three seasons of waiting for a true franchise quarterback, the Jets gave Saleh only five games with Rodgers before making their final decision.