Aaron Rodgers talked about the Jets sticking together after the Jets suffered their third defeat of the season. The veteran QB was confident of a turnaround after the loss in London, but now they will have to do it without HC Robert Saleh. After a strong start with two wins out of three, things unraveled quickly for Saleh, and the writing was on the wall.

Owner Woody Johnson had a decision to make and didn’t hesitate in letting Saleh go. The HC was already walking on ice after how the Jets tanked last season after Rodgers’s injury and a good start brought him time but the recent defeats only piled the pressure. Saleh was on a 5-year contract he signed in January 2021. So how much will Saleh land in compensation after his premature exit?

Saleh’s Jets’ deal meant he was pocketing around a cool $5 million a year. This made him the 12th highest-paid coach in the league and for the 2024 season as well Saleh’s total compensation for the season stood at $5 million as per Front Office Sports. He was the only active head coach in the NFL with a losing record who ranked in the top 12 in compensation for this season.

Now that he’s been let go, the Jets will have to pay him about $10 million to cover the last two years of his deal. With a net worth sitting around $10 million, he’s in a decent spot and his time with the Jets and the San Francisco 49ers means he’s not exactly starving for cash.

While the decision from Johnson to fire Saleh may look based on what we have seen this season, over his three-year tenure, the Jets failed to progress. He never posted a winning record and never got to the final week of the season with the chance to end their 13-year post-season drought. He went 4-13 in this first season and then had 7-10 campaigns in his next two seasons.  With a 20-36 record, his win percentage of .357 is tied for the fourth lowest in team history.  

This season things appeared steady after an opening day defeat to the 49ers. The Jets followed it up with back-to-back wins over the Titans and the Patriots only to lose momentum with successive losses against the Broncos and more recently the Vikings. This run of form combined with what appeared to be a disconnect between Saleh and the QB Aaron Rodgers, paved the way for the former’s departure.

With the offense struggling and scoring only 14 points in the first quarter in their opening five games, consistency was under the scanner. Following the 9-10 defeat to the Broncos, Saleh even questioned whether his players were “good enough or ready to handle all the cadence.” But Rodgers hit back saying, “That’s one way to do it. The other way is to hold [players] accountable. We haven’t had an issue. We’ve only had one false start.” Saleh later backtracked on his comments, but the damage may have been done.

With fans getting restless and everything blowing up against them, the Jets decided it was time to make the move. The Jets are now figuring out who’s next in line. Till then? Jeff Ulbrich, the defensive coordinator, is stepping in as the interim coach. There are some big names on the radar though. Mike Vrabel, Bill Belichick, Ben Johnson. And everyone has their own style of coaching laid out on the table.

It’s with no doubt! Whoever takes over will have their hands full. The pressure is on for the new leader. The one to finally get this team back in the playoff picture. Especially with the hefty investments the Jets have thrown at quarterback Aaron Rodgers and other key players. Saleh’s exit is a solid reminder of just how cutthroat this coaching gig is. One day you’re calling the shots. The next? You’re out the door with a pink slip!

Saleh’s future prospects

Following his firing, Saleh released a statement thanking the Jets for the opportunity to coach their side. “To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people. I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive,” Saleh said.

He also thanked the players, the coaching staff, and the “most passionate fanbase in the NFL,” as he now looks for another opportunity. But let’s not write Saleh off just yet. His defensive coaching chops are still valuable in this league. Remember how he turned the 49ers’ defense into a fortress? Teams in need of a fresh perspective are probably eyeing him right now. He’s not heading for obscurity; he’s just in the market for the next big opportunity.

With that $10 million payout coming his way, Saleh has a cushion. He doesn’t have to scramble or take the first job that pops up. Instead, he can be deliberate about his next role. Whether he wants to jump back into a similar role or try something new, he will have his options in good time.

And maybe Saleh will find the perfect spot that lets him show off his skills again. One thing’s for sure: the drama in the NFL coaching world is just beginning!