The New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh following a disappointing season start and reported tensions with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as interim head coach. Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed the decision, stating, “This was not an easy choice, but we are not meeting our expectations.”
Saleh’s time with the Jets ends with a 20-26 record over just over three seasons. As the NFL’s first Muslim head coach, he was initially celebrated for his groundbreaking achievement, with organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee recognizing his contributions to the community.
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The Jets began the season with high hopes, especially with Rodgers returning after missing most of 2023 due to injury. However, inconsistencies on the field—including a season-opening loss to the 49ers, wins against the Titans and Patriots, and back-to-back defeats to the Broncos and Vikings—coupled with apparent disagreements between Saleh and Rodgers, have raised doubts about the team’s future.
Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., criticized the decision as a “raw deal,” linking the team’s struggles to Rodgers, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and former quarterback Zach Wilson. He speculated whether Saleh’s Lebanese heritage influenced the termination, especially after he wore a Lebanese flag patch during a recent game amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
Despite his departure, Saleh’s legacy as a pioneering figure in the NFL is significant. The Jets now join teams like the Oakland Raiders in 2014 and the Miami Dolphins in 2015 in firing a coach after a loss in a London game, highlighting a unique trend in recent NFL history.
