Robert Saleh makes an elegant statement after being fired by the Jets

Robert Saleh became the first head coach to lose his job in 2024 after the New York Jets decided they had seen enough. Saleh went 20-36 in his four seasons with the team, and as the offense continued to struggle, a decision was made and Saleh is now unemployed.

Saleh reportedly did not have a chance to address the team following his release, but released a statement to Pro Football Talk on Wednesday thanking the organization and players for everything.

“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 you the ultimate privilege. Despite all the ups and downs, every single one of you showed up every day and attacked every moment.

In his statement, Saleh not only thanked the players, but also praised the coaches and staff and wished them good luck in their future endeavors. He also concluded by thanking Jets fans for their support, calling them “the most passionate fan base in the NFL.”

The decision to fire Saleh was surprising considering the team is 2-3 and fighting for first place in the AFC East when it takes on the Buffalo Bills this Monday night. The Jets failed to post a winning record in Saleh’s three full seasons, but they had quarterback problems and it’s hard to win games when the quarterback isn’t very good.

The Jets’ offensive woes continued even with Aaron Rodgers back in the starting lineup this season, and that helped seal Saleh’s fate. It’s not crazy that he released a polite statement thanking the staff, players and fans, as he will likely still be working in the NFL as early as next year and wants to make sure he continues to make a good impression . If he were upset about the departure, other teams would likely take that into consideration when potentially hiring him as defensive coordinator or another position.

It was surprising to see Saleh get the ax by the Jets, especially since he was the first head coach to be fired this year, but the hope is that the Jets can still turn things around and win games this year. They’re just one game out of first place in the division and can move to the top of the AFC East with a win on Monday night, so the season is by no means a failure.