NY Jets fans have Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers to thank for Robert Saleh firing

NY Jets owner Woody Johnson has been known to make decisions seemingly on a whim. That's exactly what he did on Tuesday with the stunning firing of now-former Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh was given his walking papers just five games into the 2024 season following the Jets' 2-3 start. Despite his team losing by just six points to the best team in the NFL on Sunday, Saleh was deemed the scapegoat for the Jets' shortcomings.

In his place, the Jets have promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to be the team's interim head coach. The decision was ultimately made by Johnson, who believes Ulbrich will bring "new energy and positivity" to the team.

But there might be another reason Ulbrich was promoted, and it ultimately could be why Johnson was so quick to fire Saleh after just five games. Believe it or not, it relates to Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers.

How Kyle Shanahan is to blame for Robert Saleh getting fired

The 49ers showed interest in hiring Ulbrich to be their team's new defensive coordinator during the 2023 offseason. The former Atlanta Falcons assistant had garnered a positive reputation for his work with the Jets' defense and ran a similar scheme to what the 49ers were used to.

In the end, the Jets were able to retain Ulbrich for another year, but Shanahan's interest in the Jets defensive coordinator caught the attention of one Woody Johnson.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reported on Tuesday that Johnson took notice of the 49ers' interest, and it seems that may have contributed to his decision to part ways with Saleh.

Saleh may have unknowingly entered the 2024 season on a short leash. Johnson was comfortable and almost eager to promote Ulbrich if Saleh and the Jets stumbled out of the gate. A 2-3 start was apparently enough for Johnson to justify the switch.

The Jets have spoken highly of Ulbrich in the hours following Saleh's firing, praising his authenticity and ability to relate to players. The team clearly thinks highly of him, and much of that comes down from ownership.

Johnson is a reactionary decision-maker. He often defers to the opinions of others to make important decisions for him. It's why he cares so much about public perception.

If the 49ers never express interest in Ulbrich, there's a very real chance Saleh is still the head coach of the New York Jets. That's just the way Johnson's brain operates — it's always been that way.

No matter the case, Jeff Ulbrich is the new head coach of this football team. And no one is happier than Woody Johnson.

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