Robert Saleh Fired: Why New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson Made the Move Now
The New York Jets Hesitated to Fire Robert Saleh, but Woody Johnson Decided It Was Time
The New York Jets didn’t fire Robert Saleh after last season partly because they doubted they could find a better replacement—and because Aaron Rodgers supported him. But after a 2-3 start to the 2024 season, including a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, Jets owner Woody Johnson decided Saleh’s time was up, dismissing him on Tuesday.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as the interim head coach.
During a Tuesday conference call, Johnson expressed that this Jets roster was the most talented he had ever seen in New York. He made the decision to fire Saleh in order to give the team its best chance to succeed.
“This change I made today, I believe, will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins starting now,” Johnson said.
Sources within the organization revealed that Johnson did not consult with other members of the front office, including general manager Joe Douglas, before making the call. Saleh was informed of the decision Tuesday morning. While Saleh acknowledged the high expectations for the season, he believed he would have more time to turn things around, especially with the defense’s strong performances under his leadership. However, the decision was final, and Saleh was escorted out of the building by Robert Mastroddi, the team’s head of security and a personal friend.
Johnson stated that while he did talk to Douglas about the move, “at the end of the day, this was my decision and my decision alone.” He also mentioned that he spoke with Rodgers after the loss to the Vikings, but the topic of Saleh’s firing was not directly discussed.
During his tenure with the Jets, Saleh compiled a 20-36 record, failing to lead the team to the playoffs despite building one of the NFL’s top defenses in recent years. Last season, Saleh was given some leeway, partly because of Rodgers’ Achilles injury just four plays into the season, which left the Jets rotating between quarterbacks Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian. The offense struggled throughout a 7-10 season, and behind the scenes, Saleh’s handling of the quarterback situation did not win him many fans. He often pointed out that other successful coaches have also faced challenges with backup quarterbacks, but that reasoning wasn’t enough to save his job.
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