Former NY Jets coach tied up in ridiculous Shedeur Sanders controversy

It turns out the New York Jets weren't quite done being connected to weird NFL Draft drama. Former Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich has found himself at the center of an unusual controversy involving Shedeur Sanders and an ill-advised prank phone call.

Sanders, who shockingly fell to the fifth round before being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, was prank called during the draft by someone pretending to be New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. A video of the call went viral on social media shortly following the draft.

After an NFL investigation into how Sanders’ private number was leaked, the trail led back to Ulbrich's family, specifically his 21-year-old son, Jax Ulbrich.

The younger Ulbrich admitted to seeing Sanders' number on an open iPad while visiting his parents' home, writing it down, and making the prank call. Neither Jeff Ulbrich nor the Falcons, Ulbrich's current employer, were initially aware, but the damage had already been done.

The Falcons released a statement on Sunday apologizing for the incident and confirming that the team is reviewing its internal protocols.

Jeff Ulbrich caught up in bizarre Shedeur Sanders situation

Ulbrich spent three turbulent seasons with the Jets, serving as the team’s defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024 before stepping into the interim head coach role midway through the 2024 campaign.

After a disappointing 2-3 start that cost Robert Saleh his job, Ulbrich was thrust into the top spot under difficult circumstances, and it quickly became apparent that he was in over his head.

The Jets went just 3-9 under Ulbrich’s watch to close out the 2024 season, with the team looking disorganized, undisciplined, and unable to regain their footing.

While Ulbrich was respected inside the locker room for his energy and defensive background, he clearly wasn’t cut out for the head coaching role. It felt like a temporary patch from the start, and when the Jets hired Aaron Glenn this offseason, there was little doubt Ulbrich would not be retained.

Still, it didn’t take long for Ulbrich to land back on his feet. The Atlanta Falcons, a team Ulbrich spent six seasons with earlier in his career (2015–2020) as a linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, brought him back into the fold as their new DC.

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His return to Atlanta was supposed to be a fresh start, but now, thanks to an unfortunate situation involving his son, Ulbrich’s name is again wrapped up in bizarre headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Jax Ulbrich publicly apologized on Sunday, calling his actions “inexcusable, embarrassing, and shameful” in a statement directed at Shedeur Sanders. While the Falcons said they are thoroughly reviewing their protocols, they confirmed no disciplinary action will be taken against their coach at this time.

It is an unfortunate and frankly bizarre situation for Jeff Ulbrich (and Sanders), whose fresh start in Atlanta is already off to an unexpected and unwanted distraction. For now, all he can do is move forward and hope the focus shifts back to football sooner rather than later.

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