NFL Rumors: Woody Johnson Didn’t Consult Jets GM, Staff Before Firing Robert Saleh

Julia StumbaughOctober 8, 2024

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The decision to fire New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh five games into the 2024 season was made “solely” by team owner Woody Johnson, according to Dianna Russini, Zack Rosenblatt and Mark Puleo of The Athletic.

“According to a source the owner did not consult other members of the Jets’ front office, including GM Joe Douglas,” they wrote.

The Athletic reporters added: “According to a team source, Johnson felt the Jets have a roster that’s ready to compete now and felt compelled to make a move now before it was too late.”

Johnson told reporters in a Tuesday conference call that he spoke with Douglas about Saleh’s firing, but that the coach’s dismissal was “my decision alone.”

The Jets fell to 2-3 on the season after Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Fox’s Jay Glazer reported that Saleh was “blindsided by Woody Johnson walking to his office and letting him go” on Tuesday.

Johnson told reporters on Tuesday he believes “this is one of the most talented teams ever assembled by the New York Jets.”

“The change that I made, I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins. Starting now,” Johnson said.

Johnson continued: “I just felt, the best way to go forward was with a new direction… It just felt like the right decision at the right time.”

Johnson added that he spoke to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers the night before the firing, but that the conversation did not involve Saleh or influence his decision, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Saleh’s firing came as a surprise not only because the former head coach was under contract with the Jets through the 2025 season, but because the Jets’ defense—the area he specialized in during stints with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers—performed well against the high-scoring Vikings. New York allowed just 91 passing yards and seven rushing yards through the second half of the loss.

It was instead the Jets’ offense that struggled in London as Rodgers threw two touchdowns and three interceptions to finish the loss with a 42.7 quarterback rating.

According to Russini, Rosenblatt and Puleo, some Jets players, “especially” defenders, “were frustrated with the lack of accountability taking place as the offense kept making the same mistakes they’ve been making for the last few years, and wasting another stellar defensive effort,” in the 23-17 Week 5 loss.

The Athletic reporters noted that Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett “doesn’t have a lot of support on the Jets roster or coaching staff either, according to sources.”

Russini reported on Tuesday that she believes the Jets do not plan on firing Hackett, who is in his second year as the team’s offensive coordinator after previously working alongside Rodgers during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers.

Another defense-focused coach will now get an opportunity to lead the Jets, as defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was promoted on an interim basis following Saleh’s firing. Ulbrich will have “a chance” to be earn the permanent role, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

Saleh will finish his Jets tenure with a 20-36 overall record and no playoff appearances. In his stead Ulbrich will be tasked with beating the odds of the team’s 2-3 start by leading the Jets toward the postseason, starting with next Monday’s AFC East matchup against the Buffalo Bills.