The New York Jets have parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh. The decision was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday, following the team’s 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London just two days prior, with the Jets later confirming the news.
Jeff Ulbrich, who had been serving as the defensive coordinator, has been appointed as the interim head coach. Ulbrich, 47, has held the DC position since Saleh’s arrival in 2021.
In a statement, team owner Woody Johnson announced, “This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the head coach of the Jets. I thanked him for his hard work over the past three-and-a-half years and wish him and his family well moving forward. This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”
Johnson added, “Jeff Ulbrich will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He is a tough coach who has the respect of the coaches and players on this team. I believe he, along with the coaches on this staff, can maximize the potential of our talented team and achieve the goals we set this offseason.”
Saleh’s tenure with the Jets lasted over three seasons, during which he recorded a 20-36 win-loss record and never finished with a winning season (4-13 in 2021, 7-10 in 2022, and 2-3 in 2023). Currently, New York is one game behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East and has a Monday Night Football matchup coming up in six days.
Schefter noted that Saleh had one year remaining on his contract, but the Jets were clearly ready to make a change after consecutive losses and a slow start to Aaron Rodgers’ time with the team. The veteran quarterback has thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions in five games, with an 81.6 passer rating marking the lowest of his career as a starter.
Even though the Jets boasted a top-five defense in yardage over the past two seasons, the team struggled to settle on a quarterback under Saleh, using six different starters throughout his 56 games: Zach Wilson (33), Mike White (7), Rodgers (6), Joe Flacco (5), Trevor Siemian (3), and Tim Boyle (2).
Following their game against the Bills at home in Week 6, the Jets will head on the road to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Sunday Night Football clash.