League execs, coaches react to Jets firing Robert Saleh: ‘It doesn’t appear well-thought-out’

The New York Jets’ resolution to fireside coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday had raised loads of eyebrows across the NFL.

The prevailing questions being requested by rival coaches and executives: What’s the true logic behind the choice, and what’s the Jets’ plan in each the quick and long run?

Staff proprietor Woody Johnson took sole duty for the choice to fireside Saleh and stated the transfer was essential to spark a workforce that was underperforming with a 2-3 report. On the floor, there’s benefit to that technique, however others across the league have been skeptical.

“Win on Monday (at dwelling in opposition to the Buffalo Payments), and you’re in first place within the AFC East,” stated a high-ranking government, who, like the opposite sources on this story, was granted anonymity so he might communicate candidly. “(The firing) appears untimely.”

The prime-time showdown with the Payments might have set the tone for the remainder of the season. And it nonetheless might.

However now the Jets are dealing an with a distraction.

“This workforce is nice sufficient to win the division,” one other government stated. “However now you’re not even centered on Buffalo as a result of the coach was simply fired. It simply doesn’t appear well-thought-out.”

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Ten executives and coaches from different groups have been polled by The Athletic in regards to the resolution to fireside Saleh. Not one of the 10 believed Saleh deserved to be fired so shortly, directing the brunt of the blame on Johnson for making a rash resolution.

“5 video games into his first (true) season with Aaron Rodgers appears slightly untimely to me,” a 3rd government stated.

Earlier than the common season, The Athletic surveyed 21 coaches and executives to get a prediction for which groups would underperform in 2024. The Jets completed tied for third with 5 votes. The panelists cited an growing older Rodgers coming off a torn Achilles, an offensive system that lacked creativity in 2023 and quite a few in-house distractions over the previous yr as among the many causes for the vote.

Due to these elements, the 2-3 begin wasn’t surprising. Neither was Saleh being on the recent seat. However one resulting in the opposite at this early juncture felt impulsive.

“I used to be undoubtedly slightly stunned by the timing of it,” an assistant coach stated. “It was most likely inevitable, but it surely’s extra of the Jets not having the ability to get out of their very own approach. I’m unsure what the firing now does, however I suppose we’ll see.”

Once more, Saleh had strain to ship improved outcomes this season. That half was by no means actually debatable. However the Jets misplaced to the reigning NFC champion San Francisco 49ers within the opener after which the undefeated Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in London. Per week earlier, the 10-9 loss at dwelling to the Denver Broncos could possibly be painted as the one true misstep on this season’s win-loss column. Their finest win, coupled with Rodgers’ marquee efficiency, got here in Week 3 in opposition to the New England Patriots, who look like in competition for the No. 1 draft choose.

“The strain was on (Saleh),” one other assistant coach stated. “They regarded like they’ll win the Tremendous Bowl just a few weeks in the past, after which (Saleh was fired after) a pair unhealthy video games.”

Jets gamers and coaches in current days have felt just like the vibe was “off” — and there was loads of frustration internally a few lack of accountability in regards to the continued points on offense, based on sources.

Gamers and coaches have had considerations about Nathaniel Hackett…

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) October 8, 2024

Dive deeper, and the protection laid an egg in opposition to the Niners. Rodgers additionally famous after that sport that the Jets weren’t ready to play championship soccer after such a humbling loss. The offense then regarded out of types in a good Week 2 victory in opposition to the Tennessee Titans. The Jets got here out flat within the final two video games in opposition to the Broncos and Vikings. It’s affordable to assume a change in management might spark the Jets.

However once more, was now the suitable time to seek for such a jolt? Payments quarterback Josh Allen has thrown 5 interceptions in back-to-back losses to the Jets on the Meadowlands. The Jets’ protection — led by defensive coordinator/interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich — has usually delivered all through Saleh’s three-plus seasons on the job, however there shall be a problem now to reply the bell in opposition to the Payments with a brand new voice in cost.

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One other government stated he wasn’t positive what the firing actually accomplishes, for the reason that protection and offense keep the identical. “Both one thing was occurring behind the scenes, or (it was) only a transfer to make a transfer and hoping one thing adjustments,” he stated.

If the Jets don’t rebound Monday in opposition to the Payments, the distractions might theoretically be compounded in a brief week earlier than street video games in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Patriots. Whereas midseason teaching firings do generally generate that lacking spark, in addition they invite the potential of the scenario spiraling additional uncontrolled.

“Now they’re all teaching for his or her lives,” an government stated. “And sooner or later, they’re going to be specializing in in search of their subsequent jobs.”

After which there’s the elephant within the room.

Johnson stated he spoke with Rodgers on Monday evening, however Rodgers didn’t have any enter on the choice to fireside Saleh. Nonetheless, folks across the league questioned the state of the connection between Saleh and Rodgers, as that player-coach dynamic was the topic of questions throughout current information conferences. The group has gone all in on maximizing its potential and to maximise Rodgers’ consolation in Florham Park throughout his abbreviated window, which included bringing in most of the quarterback’s allies.

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With any transfer like this, the long-term technique should even be thought of. Johnson shall be hiring his eighth full-time head coach since taking possession of the workforce in 2000. Joe Douglas, the fifth basic supervisor over the identical timeframe, should even be questioning about his destiny, though he might discover solace in the truth that he constructed the roster that Johnson simply referred to as essentially the most gifted of his tenure.

The subsequent coach shall be taking on a promising roster with expertise on each side of the ball, together with an enormous attract Rodgers, though he turns 41 in December. However that coach may even be becoming a member of a company that hasn’t made the playoffs, as of now, for the reason that 2010 postseason. It has fewer playoff victories (six) than head coaches throughout Johnson’s stewardship.

“I don’t know the way it will get higher,” an government stated.

“The product they placed on the sphere does NOT seem like a workforce that has given up or one that’s tuning out its head coach.”

Within the latest episode of The Athletic Soccer Present, @robertmays displays on the shocking firing of Robert Saleh and the implications for the Jets.

🎧… pic.twitter.com/tYwsdne1TT

— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) October 9, 2024

By changing into the primary workforce to fireside its head coach in the course of the 2024 season, the Jets are hoping such a dramatic and unpopular process had been a obligatory step towards speedy enchancment.

But when it doesn’t work, the Jets will once more be left with extra questions than solutions.