The New York Jets have fired coach Robert Saleh after starting the season 2-3, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the interim head coach, a source told ESPN.
Saleh, who was hired by the Jets in 2021, had a 20-36 record as the team’s head coach.
Saleh’s firing marks the first time in owner Woody Johnson’s 25-year tenure that he has fired a coach in the middle of the season. After last season, a 7-10 finish, Johnson acknowledged that he was livid with the outcome and raised the stakes for Saleh by demanding significant improvement.
Saleh becomes the third NFL coach to be fired after losing a game in London, according to ESPN Research. The Raiders fired coach Dennis Allen in 2014 the day after they lost 38-14 to the Miami Dolphins at Wembley Stadium, while the Dolphins fired coach Joe Philbin in 2015 the day after they lost 27-14 to the Jets at Wembley. Saleh’s firing comes two days after the Jets lost 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Jets entered the 2024 season with high expectations, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning from an Achilles injury that had derailed his 2023 season after just four plays, but they have struggled on offense.
Quarterback instability marked Saleh’s tenure as the Jets started six different quarterbacks in his four seasons: Zach Wilson (33 games), Mike White (7), Rodgers (6), Joe Flacco (5), Trevor Siemian (3) and Tim Boyle (2).
Saleh’s tenure was marked by strong defense and poor offense, largely due to the quarterback instability. In his first season, they drafted Wilson No. 2 overall, but he struggled mightily and eventually was benched and replaced last season by Rodgers, who tore his Achilles on the fourth snap of the season.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini contributed to this report.