Bill Belichick thinks Jets’ ‘mysterious’ firing of Robert Saleh is latest sign of ‘dysfunction’

The Jets’ surprising decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh confuses Bill Belichick.

Belichick described the Jets’ firing of their fourth-year head coach as “somewhat puzzling” during an appearance on “A Coach’s Perspective.”

“It is what it is,” Belichick said. “Everyone has to move forward. It is the owner’s prerogative to make this decision and he has clearly chosen to do so. But there were a lot of things that were kind of confusing. It hasn’t been a good situation for the Jets this year. You can feel that there is a certain coldness.”

Jets owner Woody Johnson previously told reporters he made the decision to fire Saleh.

Saleh was released after just five games in 2024, suffering two devastating losses to the Broncos at home and the Vikings in London after a 2-1 start.

The Post’s Brian Costello reported that it was the 10-9 loss to Denver that triggered Johnson, and he wasn’t reassured when Saleh urged him to be patient.

A week and a defeat later, Saleh was the one who paid the price.

Belichick previously had a rocky relationship with the Jets, shockingly resigning from the team after accepting the head coaching job in 2000.

He wrote his resignation letter on a napkin, citing ownership uncertainty as the main reason for his departure just days after agreeing to lead the team.

Belichick continued to describe the issues with Saleh as a coach, pointing out that the offensive line and franchise instability were the root cause of the Jets’ problems.

“There were some issues on the offensive line; it didn’t really work [Mekhi] Becton. A few tackles; we’ll see how that works. Just not much protection, and definitely [Aaron] “Rodgers had a rough day out there in London this weekend,” Belichick said.

“They’ve played pretty good defense overall over the last few years so it’s been a pretty solid group, but the rest of the organization has been tough, which has only partially created the appearance of dysfunctionality, and that’s the ownership, that is the staff, that is.” Coaching. I’m not sure exactly where it went, but it just didn’t look good.”

Saleh’s replacement is defensive coordinator and former player Jeff Ulbrich.

Offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett was also relieved of duties in favor of Todd Downing, but will remain with the team.

Follow the latest on the New York Jets’ firing of head coach Robert Saleh:

Belichick tormented the Jets while on the Patriots’ sideline, going 34-10 against them from 2000 to 2021.

He is currently looking for his next head coaching job after leaving New England last season. However, given his poor past, the Jets are not expected to be in the running for his services.