The Jets' surprising decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh left Bill Belichick perplexed.
Belichick called the Jets' firing of their fourth-year head coach “a little puzzling” during the appearance.coach's perspective”
“That's what it is,” Belichick said. “Everyone has to move on. It's the owner's prerogative to make that decision and obviously that's what the owner decided to do. But there were a lot of things that were a little bit confusing this year. It wasn't a very good situation for the Jets. It felt like it was kind of cold.”
Jets owner Woody Johnson previously told reporters he had made the decision to fire Saleh.
Saleh was fired after just five games in 2024 after a disastrous 2-1 start against the Broncos at home and against the Vikings in London.
Brian Costello of the newspaper reported that Johnson's setback came in the 10-9 loss to Denver, and that Saleh's pleas for patience did not appease Johnson.
After one loss in a week, it was Saleh who paid the price.
Belichick previously had a dodgy relationship with the Jets, shockingly resigning from the team after accepting the head coaching job in 2000.
Days after agreeing to run the team, he wrote his resignation on a napkin, citing uncertainty over ownership as the main reason for his departure.
Belichick continued to explain Saleh's problems, pointing to the instability of the offensive line and franchise as the main reasons for the Jets' struggles.
“The offensive line had some issues. It didn't really go well. [Mekhi] Becton. Some tackle. Let's see how it goes. However, the protection power is not very high, and certainly [Aaron] “Rogers had a tough day in London this weekend,” Belichick said.
“They've played very good defense overall over the last few years, they've been a very solid group, but the rest of the organization just looks dysfunctional and it's been tough. That's the ownership, that's the talent, that's the problem.'' Coaching. I don't know where it is exactly, but it didn't look good. ”
Saleh will be replaced by defensive coordinator and former player Jeff Ulbrich.
Offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett will also remain with the team, although he was stripped of play-calling duties in favor of Todd Downing.
Follow the latest updates on the firing of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Belichick tormented the Jets while on the Patriots sideline, going 34-10 against the Patriots from 2000-2021.
He is currently looking for his next head coaching job after leaving New England last season, but given his sordid history, the Jets are not expected to join him in the job.
