Jets Fire Saleh After Telling Rodgers About Hackett’s Demotion

In an increasingly chaotic season for the New York Jets, a surprising and dramatic turn of events unfolded in October. It was then that Jets owner Woody Johnson made the decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh, but not before Saleh had informed quarterback Aaron Rodgers about a major shake-up in the coaching staff — the demotion of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, a close friend of Rodgers.

The Firing: What Led to Saleh’s Dismissal?

The Jets were struggling early in the 2024 season, having just suffered a tough loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, which dropped their record to 2-3. Upon their return to the U.S., owner Woody Johnson wasted no time in making a significant decision that would change the course of the team’s future. He entered Saleh’s office and told him he was being fired, a move that reportedly caught the coach off guard.

This was a tough blow for Saleh, who had been tasked with turning around the Jets’ fortunes after an underwhelming start. While the public had known about the firing, what hadn’t been revealed until recently was the tense moment that led up to it.

Saleh’s Conversation with Aaron Rodgers

Just before his firing, Saleh made a crucial decision that seemed to set off a chain reaction within the organization. The head coach called Rodgers to inform him that Hackett would no longer be calling plays for the Jets’ offense. Instead, passing game coordinator Todd Downing was to take over as the new play caller.

Reports from The Athletic revealed that Rodgers strongly disagreed with this decision. The tension was so palpable that Saleh reportedly instructed his staff to prepare backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor, just in case a hurt and frustrated Rodgers was unwilling to play.

Woody Johnson’s Decision: A Spark That Didn’t Ignite

Around 10 a.m. on that fateful day, Woody Johnson, accompanied by his brother Christopher, the Jets’ vice chairman, walked into Saleh’s office. Woody delivered the news — Robert Saleh was being fired. When Saleh asked why, Johnson’s response was blunt: he didn’t believe Saleh could turn the season around and felt that the team needed a spark.

Ironically, this supposed “spark” never materialized. Under Jeff Ulbrich, who was appointed as the interim head coach, the Jets have continued to struggle. After Saleh won two of the five games he coached that season, the Jets have only won two of their nine games since the coaching change. The team’s playoff hopes were extinguished early, marking the 14th consecutive season without a postseason appearance — the longest active playoff drought in North American major sports.

Impact of the Firing on the Jets Organization

Despite Rodgers’ reported disapproval of Saleh’s firing, the turbulent season has led to significant fallout. The decision to part ways with Saleh, alongside general manager Joe Douglas, has created a ripple effect across the Jets organization. As the team continues to underperform, it’s clear that many within the organization, including the roster and coaching staff, may soon be out of jobs as well.

Saleh’s New Role with the Green Bay Packers

Since his departure from the Jets, Saleh has found a new home with the Green Bay Packers, taking on the role of offensive consultant. There, he will work closely with Matt LaFleur, a former colleague, and the current head coach of the Packers. LaFleur was also the coach of Rodgers during his time in Green Bay and had hired Hackett as the Packers’ offensive coordinator in 2019.

Conclusion: The Jets’ Continuing Struggles

The firing of Robert Saleh was just another chapter in the ongoing saga of dysfunction that has plagued the New York Jets. While the team had hoped that a change in leadership would bring about a fresh start, the struggles have continued. As the Jets face another season without playoff contention, the long road ahead will require more than just a “spark” to restore hope to their fans.

For now, the Jets are left to reflect on what went wrong and how they can rebuild from yet another disappointing season.