In a shocking move, the New York Jets have parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh after just five games into the season. The decision comes on the heels of a disappointing 2-3 start, which has left the team’s ownership and fans alike feeling frustrated and underwhelmed.
Despite Saleh’s assurances that the team was not in a state of panic, owner Woody Johnson saw fit to make a change, citing the need to take drastic action to salvage the season. The move marks the first in-season coaching change in Johnson’s 25-year tenure as owner.
The task of righting the ship now falls to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who takes over as interim head coach. Ulbrich faces an uphill battle, as the team’s offense has struggled mightily under the guidance of coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The unit’s performance has been stagnant, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers looking out of sorts and the running game failing to gain traction.
Ulbrich’s first order of business will be to assess the state of the offense and determine whether to make changes to the coaching staff or scheme. One potential move could be to strip Hackett of his playcalling duties, with passing game coordinator Todd Downing taking over.
The Jets’ owner is hoping that a change in leadership will be the spark needed to turn the season around. With 12 games remaining, Ulbrich has a narrow window to work his magic and deliver on the team’s lofty expectations. If he can succeed where Saleh failed, it would be a remarkable turnaround, one that would go down in NFL history.
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