The New York Jets made headlines when they announced they fired former head coach Robert Saleh.
Saleh’s dismissal seemed to be inevitable after the team started the season 2-3, with their most recent loss against the Minnesota Vikings serving as the last straw for Woody Johnson.
The owner apparently had grown tired of seeing his team underperform and made the decision to part ways with Saleh, who compiled a losing record as Jets head coach.
With Saleh no longer at the helm, the organization named Jeff Ulbrich as its new head coach.
The defensive coordinator was a logical choice, given his experience and relationship with the players in the locker room, and he has already received praise for his leadership and attitude.
Asked about how the players have processed the change, the former NFL linebacker expressed gratitude for their approach.
“I’ve been in this situation two times as a player, one time as a coach, and I’ve seen it go really well and I’ve seen it not go very well,” Ulbrich said, via Jets Videos. “That’s why I’m just so grateful for this locker room, the character in this locker room, because they very easily could have gone sideways. … They’ve been absolutely fantastic.”
“I’m so grateful for the character in this locker room”
Jeff Ulbrich on how the Jets have responded to the coaching change: pic.twitter.com/v0cITCk57T
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 12, 2024
The Jets needed to make some sort of change to turn around their season, and it sounds like Ulbrich is taking his new responsibility in stride.
There is a lot of pressure for New York to compete for a playoff spot given what’s been invested in the roster, so Ulbrich will have his hands full trying to live up to those expectations.
Week 6 will say a lot about Ulbrich, as the Jets will take on a Buffalo Bills team looking to get back on track and remain at the top of the AFC East standings.
