Sources on Jets' decision to fire Robert Saleh, plus insight on the coaching staff

Robert Saleh and his entire staff were at One Jets Drive on Monday. They began their preliminary game plan for Monday’s matchup with the Bills, knowing a victory would put them in first place in the AFC East, and reviewed Sunday’s six-point loss to the Vikings.

Tuesday morning Saleh again showed up to the facility. It was business as usual.

Until it wasn’t.

Saleh was ushered into a meeting with chairman Woody Johnson, Christopher Johnson and others. He was informed he was no longer the coach of the Jets. Saleh called a meeting with his coaching staff in his office to inform them. He was not permitted a chance to address players. 

“Blindsided,” Saleh told SNY of his immediate reaction. “Shocked.”

SNY talked to members of Jets upper management, coaching staff and players. They echoed their coach’s sentiment: Stunned. This is the first time the Johnsons made an in-season coaching change since they acquired the team in the early 2000s.

The Jets began this season with Super Bowl aspirations. Aaron Rodgers was healthy, their offensive line rebuilt (Morgan Moses, Tyron Smith, John Simpson), playmakers infused (Braelon Allen, Mike Williams) and defense still among the best in the league. The Jets lost their last two games (Broncos, Vikings) after starting the season 2-1. Their offense had the ball in each of those games with a chance to drive down the field and win the game.

Greg Zuerlein missed a 50-yard field goal in the rain against the Broncos. Rodgers threw an interception to Stephon Gilmore against the Vikings.

Ownership told Saleh they wanted to move on because they didn’t believe the team was capable of turning it around under his leadership. This decision came directly from ownership. General manager Joe Douglas, whom Saleh has worked in lockstep with, multiple sources told SNY, was not involved. Neither was Rodgers, whose relationship with Saleh has been under the microscope in recent weeks.

Saleh is a defensive-minded coach. His defenses have been among the best in the NFL since he arrived in New York in 2020. The Jets finished third in defensive DVOA in 2023 and sixth in 2022. They rank 12th this season, but have allowed just 17, 3, 10 and 16 points in their last four games. New York’s issues are relegated to the offensive side of the ball.

An opposing defensive coach SNY touched base with criticized the Jets’ offensive scheme for being “vanilla” and lacking “creativity.” The Jets, under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, do not believe in pre-snap motions. They want to get to the line, allow Rodgers to diagnose the defense, then run the play.

Very rarely are players “schemed” open as a result, the coach said. Two offensive players SNY touched base with believed themselves to be at a disadvantage as a result of the offensive staff. A third told SNY he can’t recall seeing a coach “with less confidence” than Hackett.

“Hackett doesn’t take charge,” the player said. “Half the time he tries to put it on Aaron, and Aaron will get frustrated.”

A team source told SNY that Saleh came to the decision to demote Hackett on Tuesday morning. While his title would remain the same, play-calling would be handed over to passing game coordinator Todd Downing. Saleh was readying to inform the offensive staff of his decision when Johnson called him into his office and fired him.

The Jets made attempts to hire Arthur Smith this offseason. While they were not going to get rid of Hackett, Smith would have assumed control of the offense. Smith instead chose to join the Steelers as their offensive coordinator. 

The Jets emphasized pre-snap motions (the Kyle Shanahan 49ers’ offense, Matt LaFleur Packers offense) and creativity under former coordinator Mike LaFleur, whom Saleh brought with him from San Francisco. The scheme struggled with Zach Wilson under center, but thrived with Mike White. Ownership wanted Saleh to make a change after the 2022 season, which led to the hiring of Hackett.

The Jets this year rank 27th in yards per game and 25th in points. They are 23rd in DVOA. This despite having Rodgers at quarterback. Running back Breece Hall (65 carries, 197 yards, two touchdowns) and receiver Garrett Wilson (33 catches, 292 yards, two touchdowns) have been particularly ineffective thus far.

Saleh is not an offensive coach. While involved, that unit is run by Hackett and Downing. The Jets believe the results of the entire team land on the desk of the coach, though. It’s not one side of the ball versus another. The offense isn’t working, and Saleh plays a role in that.

Multiple sources told SNY that Johnson has been critical of Hackett in recent weeks. So much so that one source believed Hackett would be fired this week. Hackett, for the time being, is not expected to be fired.

The Jets will turn to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as their interim coach. He was still in the process of getting himself organized Tuesday morning. The staff believes in him, and he has immense respect from the players.

Cornerback DJ Reed told SNY last year that Ulbrich should be a head coach in short order. He’s the type of coach who is constantly looking for feedback from his players. Because he played himself, there’s even more respect for him.

The Jets face the Bills on Monday night. A win will put them in first place in the AFC East and restart the season.