New York Jets Dismiss Head Coach Robert Saleh Amidst Disappointing Start

The New York Jets announced on Tuesday that head coach Robert Saleh has been dismissed following the team’s 2-3 start to the current season. The news was confirmed by team owner Woody Johnson, who revealed that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will take over as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

“This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the head coach of the Jets,” Johnson stated. “I thanked him for his hard work these past three-and-a-half years and wished him and his family well moving forward. 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 has been with the Jets since 2021, leaves with a record of 20-36, having failed to lead the team to the playoffs in each of his seasons in charge. The move to fire Saleh marks the first time Johnson has dismissed a coach midseason during his 25-year tenure as owner.

The decision comes shortly after the Jets suffered a 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Despite high expectations for the season, bolstered by Aaron Rodgers‘ return after an Achilles injury last season, the team has struggled offensively.

“There’s so much football to be played,” Saleh had told reporters on Monday. “There’s so many things that we can get better at, and there’s so many things that we can continue to build on, the things that we are doing well. So, I’m not panicked. Nobody in the building is panicked.” However, the team’s performance, coupled with Saleh’s overall record, led Johnson to believe a change was necessary.

The team faces a challenging upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills, with Ulbrich stepping up to lead the Jets on the sideline. Ulbrich, 47, has been part of the coaching staff since 2021, having previously served as an assistant with the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons.

The Jets’ struggles are compounded by their long-standing postseason absence, with the franchise experiencing a 13-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL. More updates on the situation are expected in the coming days as the team adjusts to the transition in leadership.