Brian Costello of the New York Post is among the NFL analysts who have mentioned that the New York Jets “were outcoached by Kyle Shanahan” of the San Francisco 49ers during New York’s humbling 32-19 season-opening loss to San Francisco on Monday night.
While Jets fans feel frustrated coming off that game, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY suggested in a mailbag posted on Friday that Jets head coach Robert Saleh will probably hold onto his job through at least Week 18 of the ongoing campaign.
“Something wildly dramatic and drastic would have to happen for (Jets owner) Woody Johnson to make an in-season fire,” Hughes wrote about Saleh’s job security. “…The Johnsons just don’t believe in making an in-season change because they do not believe it fixes anything. They also don’t like the message it would send to a prospective new coach that they’re willing to fire people in-season.”
Saleh went 18-33 across his first three seasons with the Jets before his staff had a rough night at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium. Nevertheless, it’s widely assumed that Johnson retained Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Joe Douglas this past offseason largely because they are backed by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Even though Rodgers has played just one game (plus four additional offensive snaps) with the Jets since September 2023, the perception exists that he has a significant say regarding personnel decisions made by Johnson. Rodgers reportedly wants to give his current employer “two great years,” but questions about Saleh’s future may continue to hover over the organization even if New York earns wins against both the 0-1 Tennessee Titans this Sunday and against the rebuilding New England Patriots next Thursday night.
“A 1-2 start would not be ideal,” Hughes acknowledged, “especially considering that means the Jets split with the Titans and Patriots. With that said: It would take a lot more to get Robert Saleh fired.”
On paper, the Jets should have enough talent to avoid suffering the type of collapse that would cause Johnson to blow things up before 2025. The fact that this topic arose after just four quarters of action, though, shows how quickly fans will sound alarms if Gang Green fails to enter October with a winning record.
