Legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick has spoken out about the firing of Jets head coach Robert Saleh, calling the team’s 2-3 move “baffling.”
Saleh, who went 20-36 with New York, received his marching orders following the team’s 23-17 loss to the Vikings in London.
And while the Jets’ offense has been faltering even with Aaron Rodgers under center, Belichick, who once accepted the Jets’ head coaching job only to resign a day later, was taken aback by Gang Green’s decision to part ways with Saleh.
‘It’s a bit disconcerting. It is what it is and everyone has to move on,” he said in his ‘Coach’ podcast. “It’s the owner’s prerogative to make that decision, and clearly that’s what he decided to do.”
‘But there have been a lot of things that have been a little confusing. It hasn’t been a great situation for the Jets this year. You can feel that there has been a kind of chill.
The Jets made the surprising decision to part ways with Saleh just five games into the season.
And Bill Belichick, who currently has no coaching job in the NFL, called the decision “baffling.”
After the decision, owner Woody Johnson said: “This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should have our expectations and I think now is the best time to move in a different direction.”
Following his firing, Saleh also released a statement thanking the Jets and their fan base for their support during his nearly four years there.
‘To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people. “I will always be grateful for the love and support of everyone at 1 Jets Drive,” he said in a statement.
‘To all the players, I truly love and appreciate each and every one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching them the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up every day and attacked every moment.
‘To my fellow coaches and staff, it has been an honor to work with all of you. Each of you were “fully committed” and made sacrifices for each other that will never be forgotten. I wish you all the best of luck for the remainder of the season.
Belichick spent three years with the Jets and accepted the team’s head coaching job in 2000 before resigning a day later.
Aaron Rodgers denied having any role in Saleh’s firing later on the Pat McAfee Show.
‘To the most passionate NFL fans, thank you for hugging my family. “It has been a pleasure to call New York our home and we will always cherish all the memories that were made here.”
While the Jets established themselves as an elite defensive team under Saleh, they consistently struggled on offense, largely due to Zach Wilson being under center from 2021-23.
However, even with Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury this season, the team is averaging just 18.6 points per game, and Saleh ultimately took the blame.
Some had suggested that Rodgers, who is a close friend of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, had instigated the firing, although Rodgers called those claims “ridiculous” on the Pat McAfee Show.
Hackett has since been demoted by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
