Reports indicate that the New York Jets have informed former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh that he has been relieved of his head coaching position as of Tuesday morning.
During his three seasons as head coach, Saleh posted a record of 20-36, including a 2-3 mark in 2024. With Aaron Rodgers returning to health, this was anticipated to be a turnaround year for the Jets.
Saleh faced significant challenges at the quarterback position, with six different starters during his tenure. Rodgers’ 2023 season ended prematurely, as he couldn’t last past the first series. This year, at 40 and recovering from a serious injury, Rodgers has a 7/4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, averaging only 6.0 yards per attempt—placing him alongside backup quarterbacks Tim Boyle and Skylar Thompson—and completing just 61% of his passes.
Defensively, the Jets have been impressive, allowing the second-fewest yards per game and ranking third in EPA per pass allowed. Even without their main pass rusher, they are third in quarterback pressure this season.
However, as head coach, Saleh was responsible for all phases of the team. Offensively, the Jets are grouped with struggling teams like the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears, both of which have rookie quarterbacks. If a coaching change was warranted, it should have been the offensive coordinator.
The Jets’ performance in their London game against the Minnesota Vikings was particularly disappointing, as they were outclassed offensively and lacked a strategy against Brian Flores’ defense. They seem to lack a clear identity on that side of the ball.
The underlying issue for the Jets isn’t solely with Saleh; it’s more about their general manager. Under Joe Douglas, the team has a dismal 29-59 record, making Saleh a scapegoat for larger problems.
It’s likely that several teams will seek Saleh’s expertise on defense. While the 49ers currently have Nick Sorensen and Brandon Staley, they might consider bringing Saleh back as a consultant, potentially elevating him to coordinator if Sorensen’s tenure doesn’t pan out, given their shared coaching background.
