In a stunning and unexpected decision, the New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh just days before their highly anticipated Monday night clash against the Buffalo Bills. The move has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering why a team with so much potential would make such a drastic change so early in the season.
Rumors of Saleh being on the hot seat circulated during the offseason, but with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers and the team off to a 2-3 start, many believed those concerns had been put to rest. However, Jets owner Woody Johnson clearly thought otherwise, dropping a bombshell by parting ways with Saleh.
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and Brock Vereen weighed in on the firing, with Vereen emphasizing the tension between Saleh and Rodgers. “Anybody could watch this team and say, ‘hey, the offense is not where it needs to be.’ You publicly disagreeing with your quarterback as far as how to go about that, you’ve put all the power in Aaron Rodgers’ hands,” Vereen remarked.
Jones added that the back-to-back losses to the Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings were likely the tipping point for Johnson. “Woody Johnson feels this is an uber-talented team, and two losses to the Broncos and then the Vikings made him decide that something needed to change,” Jones said.
The internal dynamics between Saleh, a defensive-minded head coach, and Rodgers, a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, seem to have contributed to the decision. Vereen noted, “When you bring in a star like Rodgers, especially one who dominates the offensive side, it’s a poor move to publicly disagree with him. It’s essentially his team now.”
Despite a rocky 2-3 start, it seemed premature to let Saleh go, especially considering the difficult seasons he endured while developing young quarterbacks like Zach Wilson. Saleh was still able to produce wins under challenging circumstances, but evidently, it wasn’t enough for Johnson.
With Saleh out, Todd Downing will now step into the role of offensive play-caller. Downing’s recent offensive struggles have raised eyebrows, and many fans are uncertain about what he can bring to the table. His appointment is unlikely to inspire confidence, but he’ll have his first chance to prove himself in the high-stakes Monday night game against the Bills.
For the Jets, the focus will now shift back to the field. A win against Buffalo would go a long way in quieting the noise and showing that they can still contend in a loaded AFC. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the team faces a crossroads in what has already been an eventful season.