New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s been tolerant – over the last 24 years he’s never once fired a coach mid-season. But that changed earlier today, when Johnson finally fired Robert Saleh, head coach for the Jets since 2021. Speaking of the firing, Woody Johnson said, “This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”

And to pile scandal on top of scandal, Saleh had to be escorted out of the building by team security. That’s less than a peaceful exit, and evidence of just how bad things had gotten inside the team. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers hasn’t spoken out about the issue, but rumors swirl that he is to blame. Apparently tensions were high between the two in the runup to the sacking.

Rumors started when Rodgers awkwardly shoved Saleh as he came in for a hug after the Jets’ 27-3 win over the Patriots. The move raised a lot of eyebrows back then, but Rodgers dismissed any rumors of enmity as pure speculation. He claimed Saleh was just “not a big hugger” and that he was just surprised, but who can say now? Matters definitely escalated after Saleh exclusively laid the blame for the Jets’ troubles against the Seahawks on Rodgers’ shoulders. He blamed his “cadence” for the Jets’ difficulties in that game. Not a good look for a coach to single out a player, of course.

But now, with him out of the picture, what next? You might have heard speculation that Bill Belichick’s in contention for the role. But if you know the first thing about Belichick’s pre-Patriots record, you know that’s a pipe dream. For now, the New York Jets‘ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s taken over as interim head coach. The Jets’ defense is pretty much the only good thing they have going for them, at second in the league for least yards conceded. He’s been with the team since 2021 and knows the boys, so there’s a chance he can pull together a working unit still.

Is Doug Pederson next on the chopping block?

Rumors of Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach Doug Pederson being in hot water have also been making the rounds for a while. No wonder, what with the Jags having had the longest losing streak this season so far, going 4-0 before their win against the Colts. The team’s collapse since the end of the 2023 season has been a sight and a half. Before the Colts win, they’d lost 9 consecutive games under Trevor Lawrence as quarterback.

The Colts win might have bought Pederson some breathing room, but is it enough? The Jags have a patient owner too, in Shahid Khan, but that’s what we were saying about Johnson as well. All it takes is for things to be pushed to the breaking point, and they’re pretty darn close to it right now. Pederson has to give Shahid Khan what he asked for – more wins. Here’s hoping he can deliver.