Defense hasn’t been the problem under Saleh, as Gang Green has finished in the top five in yards allowed and top 12 in points each of the last two seasons. For five weeks in 2024, New York’s D ranked second in yards allowed and fifth in points given up. However, the Jets never managed to figure out the offense as they ranked in the bottom quarter of the NFL in yards allowed and scored in each of his four seasons. The inability to help Zach Wilson develop was among Saleh’s list of results. New York has had six quarterbacks in the three-plus seasons the coach has been at the helm.

Acquiring Aaron Rodgers in 2023 should change things for New York. However, a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1 derailed that first-year plan. Saleh botched the move with Wilson and rotated through quarterbacks last season. Through five games this season, the offense was still struggling under Nathaniel Hackett and Rodgers, as Gang Green averaged 18.6 points per game and rarely found consistency in an outdated scheme.

Although Saleh and Rodgers said the right things, the relationship never seemed to be resolved. A strange disagreement over how quarterback cadence should be an issue last week in New York underscored the apparent disconnect between coach and quarterback.

At 2-3 in the struggling AFC East and with a prime-time game against the Buffalo Bills looming, the Jets still have time to turn things around. Saleh simply won’t be the man to fly the plane.

Ulbrich played 10 seasons in the NFL and is a highly rated assistant. The 47-year-old joined Saleh’s team as DC in 2021. Ulbrich served as head coach at the Senior Bowl this offseason. Now he gets a chance to do the right thing and try to save the Jets season.

This is the first time in Johnson’s 25-year tenure that he has fired a coach midseason.