A few days ago, the New York Jets captured attention throughout the NFL by unexpectedly firing head coach Robert Saleh after a lackluster 2-3 start. Although one could argue that they are just a few mistakes away from a better record, it’s clear that the team is grappling with deeper issues beyond the head coach’s role.
On Fox Sports 1’s “Speak,” Joy Taylor remarked that the decision to dismiss Saleh appeared to be a panic reaction, suggesting that the Jets’ season is essentially over.
Saleh took the helm as New York’s head coach for the 2021 season, prior to the team acquiring future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, following a successful four-year tenure as the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator.
He achieved some success in New York, assembling one of the league’s stronger defensive units, which currently ranks fifth in points allowed and second in total yards surrendered.
However, as Taylor pointed out, the Jets’ primary challenge lies with Rodgers. The veteran quarterback has not performed at the elite level he once did, indicating that he may have reached a critical point in his decline.
After tearing his Achilles during his first offensive drive as a Jet last season, Rodgers also carries the burden of 15 seasons of wear and tear as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Despite the considerable talent present on both sides of the ball, the Jets’ fortunes will hinge on the capabilities of Rodgers’ aging body.