Getty Image
Despite the routinely misfiring offense clearly being the issue with the New York Jets, the head of the defense-minded head coach was the one to roll as Robert Saleh was fired by the organization after just five games this season.
Taking over for Saleh is defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, which is somewhat surprising considering that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett seems to be Aaron Rodgers BFF.
Speaking to the media following the firing of Saleh, Ulbrich implied that Rodgers would effectively be the team’s offensive coordinator, as he’ll be a “vital resource” when it comes to “meetings, practice, game-planning, and scheduling.”
“I have a good relationship with Aaron. He’s one of those guys that just unbelievable experience and he’s seen this game at the highest level for a long time. So he’s a guy with a lot of ideas and really positive feedback about a lot of different things, whether it be meetings, practice, game-planning, scheduling, all of it. So, he will be a vital resource for me in that way.” Ulbrich told the media during his first press conference as interim head coach.
“I think Aaron’s going to be a part of a lot of conversations. Obviously, [he] has a lot of insight regarding this offensive system and he’s been a part of it when it’s been operating at the highest level, so responsibilities and roles and all that, we’re going to take a hard look at all the process included,” he continued.
Ulbrich said that he and Rodgers agreed changes must be made beyond just the head coach.
“Aaron and I spoke about this earlier today, about there has to be an element of change. The players have to feel that, whether that’s our process, whether that’s scheduling meetings, practice, night before games, whatever that is, there has to be, there has to be a change bigger than just me now assuming the head coaching role.”
Ulbrich’s first game as head coach of the New York Jets will be a nationally televised matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.
If the Jets can pull off the win, they’ll take over sole possession of first place in the AFC East, which appears to be a two-horse race between those two teams given the concussion that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered.