NFL Fans Shocked After Jets Fire Head Coach Just 5 Games into Season

In a shocking mid-season shakeup, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday morning, marking his first in-season coaching change in 25 years of team ownership. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been tapped as the interim head coach, a bold move that highlights the growing tension and frustration within the organization after a disappointing 2-3 start.

Johnson admitted that while he consulted with general manager Joe Douglas, the decision to fire Saleh was ultimately his own. Saleh, hired in 2021 with promises of turning the franchise around, was reportedly blindsided by the decision. Sources say he was escorted from the Jets facility by the team’s director of security in a move described as standard protocol.

“This is probably the best team I’ve had in 25 years,” Johnson said during a call with reporters. “I just felt we needed a new direction to give us the best chance at making the playoffs.” Despite high expectations fueled by the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets remain mired in a 13-year playoff drought, the longest active streak in the NFL.

The final straw appears to have been the Jets’ Week 4 loss to the Broncos, followed by a tough defeat against the undefeated Vikings in London. Johnson expressed his concerns to Saleh in a private meeting after the Broncos loss, but by the end of the London game, it became clear that Saleh’s tenure was on thin ice.

Ulbrich, in his first comments as interim coach, described the whirlwind day as “four hours of craziness” and urged the team to “lock arms” as they prepare for a crucial Monday night game against the Buffalo Bills. The fate of embattled offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is also in question, with Ulbrich leaving open the possibility of changes to the coaching structure.

While Saleh’s exit may come as a shock, it’s not entirely unprecedented in the NFL. In recent years, mid-season firings have occasionally jolted teams to success, as seen in 2021 when the Raiders made a playoff run after promoting interim coach Rich Bisaccia. Jets fans can only hope for a similar turnaround, though with the team facing mounting challenges, that remains uncertain.

Saleh leaves with a 20-36 record and no playoff appearances. Despite his early promise and a strong defensive unit, the offensive struggles—and the lingering impact of Rodgers’ Achilles injury—have weighed heavily on the team’s progress. As the Jets scramble to salvage their season, Johnson’s decision signals a clear urgency to win now, with no room left for excuses.

With Ulbrich at the helm, the question remains: Can the Jets finally break their playoff curse, or will this upheaval only add to their long-running saga of disappointment? Time—and Monday night’s showdown with the Bills—will tell.