Jets’ Sauce Gardner Talks About Firing Robert Saleh: ‘We’re Still Doing It For Him’ | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Robert Saleh is no longer head coach of the New York Jets after the AFC East team fired him, but Sauce Gardner is one of the players still thinking about him.

“If I’m honest … we’re still doing it for him,” the cornerback said Thursday, according to ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin.

Gardner also said Saleh “changed my life,” which is why he texts the coach “I appreciate you” every year on his birthday.

That Gardner still feels an affinity for Saleh is no surprise.

After all, he is the only head coach the cornerback has ever played for in the NFL. Saleh was on the sideline for the Jets when they selected the two-time Pro Bowler with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, helping develop the Cincinnati product into one of the league’s best defensive backs.

Gardner’s resume includes 2022 Defensive Rookie of the Year, two first-team All-Pro selections and two Pro Bowl nominations. As a rookie, he led the league with 20 passes defended, and opposing quarterbacks have since learned not to throw as many passes at him.

Saleh certainly had a hand in making him the player he is, as the coach brought a defensive background to the Jets’ job.

He was the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons before becoming the head coach in New York and helping lead the NFC West team to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.

Ultimately, the Jets were just 20-36 under Saleh after a 2-3 start this year.

Still, the timing of the shot was the most surprising part, as everyone is still adjusting to a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center. If the Jets were going to give the head coach such a short leash anyway, perhaps it would have been better to make a move in the offseason so they would have more time to put the ideal system in place for the 2024 season.

Gardner told reporters he was “shocked” that Saleh was fired when he was let go, a feeling he certainly doesn’t feel alone with.

For now, New York will take on the interim role with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and prepare for Monday’s important divisional game against the Buffalo Bills.