The Robert Saleh era is officially over.
In a move that shocked the NFL world, the 2-3 New York Jets have fired Saleh as head coach. This comes ahead of the Week 6 Monday Night Football game against the Buffalo Bills.
Related: New York Jets game today: TV info, Week 6 injury report, and upcoming 2024 Jets schedule
Saleh was informed by Jets owner Woody Johnson of the decision on Tuesday morning.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2024
“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 these past three-and-a-half years and wished him and his family well moving forward,” Johnson said in a statement. “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.”
Saleh, who had one year remaining on his contract, finished his Jets tenure with a 20-36 record. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as interim coach.
Saleh went through six starting quarterbacks since the beginning of the 2021 season.
Robert Saleh went through six different starting quarterbacks during his time with the Jets:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2024
🏈Zach Wilson: 33 games
🏈Mike White: 7 games
🏈Aaron Rodgers: 6 games
🏈Joe Flacco: 5 games
🏈Trevor Siemian: 3 games
🏈Tim Boyle: 2 games
ESPN host points finger at Aaron Rodgers for Saleh’s firing
After the news came down, ESPN “First Take” co-host Shannon Sharpe blamed Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for undercutting Saleh.
“Robert Saleh didn’t lose the team,” Sharpe said. “Aaron Rodgers undercut this man, by not coming to mandatory minicamp.
“The moment that Aaron Rodgers did that, Robert Saleh had no control because the guys are looking at it — this guy is our leader, this is the guy we’re supposed to count on.
Sharpe added that Saleh’s dismissal is a “bad look” for Rodgers.
“He doesn’t realize how bad this looks. Can you imagine Tom Brady, later in his career, getting a coach fired? Can you imagine Peyton Manning, later in his career, getting a coach fired on his watch?
“That bad man has become more problems than he’s worth and people need to acknowledge that. Aaron Rodgers has not been good.”
Through the first five games of the season, Rodgers has thrown seven touchdowns and four interceptions in the Jets’ 2-3 start. Rodgers missed all but four snaps in the 2023 season after tearing his Achilles.
Related: Aaron Rodgers calls New York Jets ‘must-watch TV,’ goes on to blast critics