Robert Saleh became visibly upset after the Jets’ humiliating defeat against the Browns.
Robert Saleh, the head coach of the New York Jets, appeared to become agitated. After a disappointing 37-20 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, Saleh was questioned about his apparent lack of anger regarding the team’s overall struggles during a press conference on December 28.
In response, Saleh expressed uncertainty about the question and jokingly suggested throwing the podium on the floor.
Things got a little testy at the end of the presser between Rich Cimini of ESPN & #Jets HC Robert Saleh.
Cimini said Saleh didn’t seem particularly angry & he asked him to share what’s really churning inside of him?
‘Uhm… [4 second pause], I’m not quite sure on the question… pic.twitter.com/JJWlkQvvop
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 29, 2023
Saleh was left without words when confronted about the significant issues plaguing the Jets. In their Thursday night football matchup against the Browns, the Jets incurred 12 penalties for 74 yards, whereas the Browns faced only four penalties for 26 yards. Zack Rosenblatt from The Athletic pointed out to Saleh that his team had amassed 26 penalties over the last two weeks.
In response, Saleh acknowledged the problem and expressed the need to address it, particularly noting the pre-snap issues that were prevalent in the recent game. He emphasized the urgency of finding solutions to the team’s penalty troubles.
Facing continued inquiry from the media regarding the team’s persistent penalty issues, particularly those related to fundamental aspects, Saleh found himself reiterating the same sentiment. He responded, “Uhm… I gotta figure it out,” emphasizing the ongoing challenge of addressing and rectifying the fundamental shortcomings contributing to the team’s penalty troubles.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh was left speechless when he was peppered with questions by the media about his team’s 12 penalties for 74 yards vs the #Browns & the 26 combined penalties over the last 2 weeks:
‘I gotta figure it out’ + ‘uhm… I gotta figure it out’ 😳
🎥 @nyjets… pic.twitter.com/CCMcEE2ucX
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 29, 2023
The Jets’ defense, previously regarded as one of the best in football, experienced a significant downturn in Week 17 against Cleveland. The team, known as the Green and White, had maintained an impressive streak of 33 consecutive games without allowing a 300+ yard passer. However, in this particular game, former Jet Joe Flacco amassed 296 passing yards and threw three passing touchdowns in just the first half, highlighting a stark departure from the defense’s previous prowess.
296 yards and 3 TDs in the first half? ELITE.#TNFonPrime pic.twitter.com/cKTQeicGfY
— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) December 29, 2023
Flacco ultimately concluded the game with 309 passing yards. While it’s a credit to the Jets’ defense for tightening up in the second half, it’s important to note that the Browns, holding a substantial lead, no longer had the necessity to heavily rely on passing the football. The context of the game situation played a role in the reduced passing attempts by the Browns in the latter part of the contest.
The Jets’ defense allowed five touchdowns and 428 yards of offense, a performance deemed subpar even in standard circumstances. Rich Cimini of ESPN emphasized the severity of the situation by highlighting that the Browns were playing with their fourth-string quarterback and were missing key offensive weapons in their top wide receiver (Amari Cooper) and top running back (Nick Chubb).
Cimini expressed his disappointment, noting the Jets’ fourth consecutive season with double-digit losses, now standing at 6-10. He criticized the team’s preparation, particularly pointing out the defense’s struggles against Joe Flacco, and attributed the shortcomings to head coach Saleh, stating that the team appeared poorly prepared under his leadership.
Despite the assurance that both Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas would return for the 2024 season, the Jets appeared to approach their recent games as if they were already looking ahead to 2024, neglecting the work that still needed to be done in the current year.
The Jets now face a final road trip to New England to play the Patriots, a team they have lost to in 15 consecutive matchups. This enduring losing streak represents the longest active streak for any team against a single opponent. The Patriots seem to have the Jets’ number, making the upcoming regular season finale a challenging endeavor for Gang Green.
The Jets have faced a challenging stretch, losing seven of their last 10 contests. In contrast, the Patriots have displayed better recent form, securing victories in two of their last three games.
As the regular season concludes, New England aims to compound the Jets’ difficulties by securing another win, potentially leaving them with a disheartening 16-game losing streak to carry into the offseason. Conversely, the Jets are motivated to break this embarrassing streak and cultivate positive momentum as they approach a crucial offseason. The matchup holds significance for both teams, each seeking a different outcome to cap off their respective seasons.
