What did former Jets coach Robert Saleh say about his firing?

The New York Jets appear to be a franchise in flux. From the shock firing of the team’s head coach and speculation about whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers had a hand in it to the strange plea from the franchise’s owner to a player who’s holding out, it’s clear there are a few things to be fixed in the Big Apple before progress can be made.

Robert Saleh breaks his silence after dismissal

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, then you know that the Jets shocked everyone on Tuesday by deciding to fire head coach Robert Saleh. With defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich taking on the role of interim coach, the Jets who sit on a 2-3 record will now try to secure a trip to the postseason in less-than-ideal circumstances. Regardless, Saleh gave his first statement since being let go, and in typical fashion, it was the words of a man who we have come to know as measured, concise, and above all sincere.

“To the Jets organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people,” Saleh said. “I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive. To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up every day and attacked every moment. Saleh’s statement continued: “To my fellow coaches and staff, it has been an honor to work with all of you. Every one of you were ‘all in’ and made sacrifices for one another that will never be forgotten. I wish you all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season. “To the most passionate fan base in the NFL, thank you for embracing my family. It has been a pleasure calling New York our home and we will forever appreciate all of the memories that were created here.” The 45-year-old concluded his message with a declaration: “All gas no brakes!!!” Again, classy.

In total, Saleh notched a record of 20-36 during his time in charge. Widely regarded as a defensive tactician of the highest level, Saleh quickly backed up that reputation after he was hired prior to the start of the 2021 season. Unfortunately, his prowess was not the same on the other side of the ball as the Jets struggled on offense. Indeed, that appeared to be the case across the first five games of the 2024 season even with Aaron Rodgers returning from his season-ending Achilles tear in 2023. Where the official narrative is concerned, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back though there continues to be much chatter about Rodgers’ role in the whole affair.

With that, Saleh’s time in the NYC is up. As for what comes next, multiple reports suggest that Saleh doesn’t want to take another job this season. To that end, one can expect to hear his name bandied around when the 2024 offseason arrives, especially when considering how highly regarded his defensive acumen is. Until then, the Jets and their fans can only reflect on what was and what will be. Stay tuned.