New York Jets fire coach Robert Saleh after 2-3 start and apparent tension with Aaron Rodgers

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday amid the group’s disappointing begin to this season and obvious tensions with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would be the group’s interim head coach, the Jets introduced, as Saleh leaves Florham Park, New Jersey, with an total document of 20-26 in a bit greater than 3¼ seasons on the helm.

“This morning, I knowledgeable Robert Saleh that he’ll now not function Head Coach of the Jets,” group proprietor Woody Johnson stated in a press release.

“This was not a simple resolution however we’re not the place we ought to be given our expectations, and I consider now’s the very best time for us to maneuver in a distinct course.”

The group entered the season with excessive hopes and Rodgers’ return to the huddle after he missed almost all of 2023 with a leg harm.

The Jets had been blown out within the season opener by the San Francisco 49ers earlier than they rebounded with wins over the woeful Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots.

However the previous two weekends have led to irritating losses, at dwelling to the Denver Broncos and in London in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings.

Along with the dropping, there have additionally been perceptions of pressure between Rogers and Saleh.

The Jets dedicated 5 false begin penalties within the Denver loss, and Saleh stated they could possibly be linked to the tough cadence Rodgers makes use of when he barks out pre-snap alerts.

And within the win over New England, Rodgers appeared to rebuff an tried hug from Saleh after a landing.

When he was employed, Saleh was celebrated as the primary Muslim head coach of an NFL group. He was escorted out of group headquarters by the group’s safety director, NBC Sports activities reported.

“We commend Coach Robert Saleh for making historical past as the primary American Muslim head coach in NFL historical past,” the Council on American Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil rights group, stated in a press release Tuesday.

“Though nobody ought to soar to conclusions about why the Jets fired Coach Saleh, the report that Jets safety bodily escorted Saleh out of the constructing does increase issues concerning the potential motive for such uncommon hostility.”

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., known as Saleh’s firing a “uncooked deal” and pinned the group’s poor fortunes on Rodgers, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, the entrance workplace and former QB Zach Wilson.

“Robert Saleh acquired a uncooked deal and Aaron Rodgers undermined him each step of the best way,” Bowman posted on X. “This was downhill since @nyjets drafted Zach Wilson. Nathaniel Hackett is trash. Saleh saved the protection nice via the hardest occasions. Uncooked deal.” 

Bowman additionally puzzled out loud whether or not Saleh’s embrace of his Lebanese heritage might have performed a task on this termination.

Though Saleh has worn a patch of the Lebanese flag on his in-game gear earlier than, it drew new eyes Sunday within the wake of Israel’s ongoing assault on its northern neighbor.

Saleh, 45, joined the Jets after a profitable four-season run as defensive coordinator of the 49ers.

“We’re very pleased with Robert and the achievements he made in his younger profession,” American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee Govt Director Abed Ayoub stated in a press release.

“As the primary Muslim Arab-American NFL head coach, he has paved the best way for future expertise in our group. We’ve little question that New York will not be the final cease on his teaching and soccer journey. The group will all the time be there, cheering on his continued success and progress.”

Saleh can be the third coach on this previous decade to be fired after his group misplaced in London.

The Oakland Raiders terminated Dennis Allen in 2014 after an 0-4 begin and a loss to the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium.

Miami fired Joe Philbin after his 1-3 Dolphins misplaced in 2015 to the Jets, additionally at Wembley.