NFL analyst claims Robert Saleh “knows” he could be fired by spring - "He's not dumb"
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh turned his team around last offseason with the trade for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, the Super Bowl-winning quarterback's debut with the Jets lasted just four plays as he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
On ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday morning, the AFC East was the topic of conversation. When asked which quarterback in the division has the most to prove in 2024, Tua Tagovailoa and Aaron Rodgers were the results. When it came to head coaches who needed to be successful, analyst Kimberley A. Martin said Jets head coach Robert Saleh is on a 'win now' trajectory.
Martin said it's not a secret to Saleh; he is well aware he needs Rogers and the Jets to find success in 2024.
"In New York, listen, Robert Saleh's on the hot seat and he knows it, he's not dumb, he knows it. This is literally, we are all in on Aaron Rodgers and we have to win," said Martin (ESPN First Take-time stamp 7:00)
Following Aaron Rodgers' shocking injury in Week 1, Saleh and the Jets leaned on former first-round draft pick Zach Wilson to lead the team. Wilson's struggles led him to be benched and the Jets turned to Tim Boyle and Chris Streveler to serve in the starting role.
Robert Saleh on Aaron Rodgers minicamp absence
Ahead of the highly anticipated season, Jets fans were concerned about Aaron Rodgers' absence from the team's minicamp. Saleh addressed this concern last Wednesday.
"Aaron and I are on the exact same page," Saleh said. "There's no issue between Aaron or his teammates, for that matter. We addressed it yesterday. It's more of an issue for everyone outside the building than it is inside. That's about it."
In January 2021, the New York Jets hired Robert Saleh as the next head coach. He previously worked as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, where he had success from 2017 to 2020.
Saleh's first task as head coach was drafting a quarterback, which he did with Zach Wilson. The quarterback's tenure with the team officially ended this past offseason when he was traded to the Denver Broncos.
In his first season with the Jets, the team went 4-13 under Saleh. In 2022 and 2023, the New York Jets maintained the same record, 7-10.
In three seasons under Saleh, the team has gone 18-33, which is cause for concern for an organization that hasn't made the postseason since 2010.