Robert Saleh releases classy statement after getting fired by Jets

Robert Saleh was the first head coach to lose his job in 2024 after the New York Jets decided they had seen enough. Saleh went 20-36 during his four seasons with the team and with the offense continuing to struggle, a decision was made and Saleh is now out of a job.

Saleh reportedly did not get a chance to address the team following his firing but he released a statement issued to Pro Football Talk on Wednesday thanking the organization and players for everything.

“To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up everyday and attacked every moment.

The players weren't the only group that Saleh thanked in his statement, also praising the coaches and the staff, wishing them luck in their future endeavors. He closed by thanking Jets fans for their support as well, dubbing them "the most passionate fan base in the NFL".

Robert Saleh says good-bye to Jets players, coaches, and fans

The decision to fire Saleh was a surprising one given that the team is 2-3 and are fighting for first place in the AFC East when they take on the Buffalo Bills this Monday night. The Jets failed to secure a winning record during Saleh's three full seasons on the job but they had quarterback issues and it's hard to win games when the quarterback isn't very good.

The Jets' offensive woes continued even with Aaron Rodgers back in the starting lineup this season and that helped seal Saleh's fate. It's not crazy that he released a polite statement thanking the staff, players, and fans since he'll likely still be working in the NFL as early as next year and wants to make sure he's still making a good impression. If he were salty about the departure, other teams would probably take that into consideration when potentially hiring him as their defensive coordinator or any other position.

It was surprising to see Saleh get the axe by the Jets, especially to be the first head coach fired this year, but the hope is that the Jets can still turn the ship around and win games this year. They're one game out of first place in the division and can move into the top spot in the AFC East with a win on Monday night so the season is not a failure by any means yet.