New York Jets fire head coach Robert Saleh after a tough start to the season

The New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh, the franchise has officially announced.

Saleh was informed of the decision in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and shortly after, team owner Woody Johnson issued a statement addressing the move.

Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets' defensive coordinator, will step in as interim head coach.

The surprising decision came a day after Saleh expressed optimism in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets' ability to turn things around despite back-to-back losses, including a 23-17 defeat to unbeaten Minnesota in London on Sunday. Rodgers had a particularly tough outing, recording his most challenging game with the Jets by throwing three interceptions.

Jets fans are rallying behind the idea of the team turning to a former fierce rival for their side's head coach position.

Ex-New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, currently spending the 2024 season as a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN, has become a highly desired choice among Jets supporters eager for the franchise to taste long-awaited success.

Belichick led the Patriots to six Super Bowl triumphs and earned two additional titles as an assistant with the New York Giants. Following a 4-13 season in 2023, he and New England decided to part ways, leaving many surprised when he remained unsigned through the offseason.

While the Jets have appointed defensive coordinator Ulbrich as their interim head coach, a seasoned figure like Belichick could be transformative for the underachieving side.

Saleh arrived with much anticipation when he was hired in 2021 to replace Adam Gase as head coach. His reputation was strong, having excelled as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers over four seasons, where he established himself as a top candidate for a head coaching role. Saleh started with a clean slate in New York; the Jets were without a starting quarterback but had the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming draft.

With that second pick, the Jets selected Zach Wilson, a move that ultimately turned out to be a major disappointment for the franchise.

There seemed to be hope for Saleh when the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers before the 2023 season. Despite being 39, Rodgers was still considered one of the best, and New York was ready to capitalize on his capabilities and health.

However, fate had other plans. Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury just four plays into his debut game, forcing Saleh to revert back to Wilson as his starting quarterback. Fast forward to 2024, and despite finally having the opportunity to coach a seasoned quarterback, the Jets gave Saleh only five games with Rodgers to turn things around.

The Jets suffered a blowout loss to the 49ers in Week 1, only to bounce back with consecutive wins over the Titans and Patriots. However, a dismal 10-9 defeat against the Broncos at home in Week 4 likely sealed Saleh’s fate, with the narrow loss to the Vikings in London acting as the final nail in the coffin.

Just a few days later that 17-23 loss, Saleh's time as the Jets' head coach came to an end, bringing an era filled with challenges to a close.

Under Saleh's leadership, the Jets are currently 2-3 this season and failed to achieve a winning record throughout his four-year tenure, going 20-36 as coach of the Jets, who are trying to break the NFL's longest active playoff exile at 13 seasons.

This marks the first in-season coaching dismissal in Woody Johnson's 25 years as owner.

The New York Jets are set to face the Buffalo Bills (3-2) on Monday night, with an opportunity to tie for the lead in the AFC East. However, it won't be Robert Saleh on the sidelines; instead, 47-year-old Ulbrich will take the reins as head coach.

Ulbrich, who spent a decade playing as a linebacker for San Francisco, joined the Jets in 2021 as part of Saleh’s original coaching team. Prior to his time in New York, he served as an assistant with Atlanta for six seasons.