New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh faces increased pressure this upcoming season after tallying a disappointing 18-33 record in his first three years at the helm.
Saleh received a warning from Jets owner Woody Johnson following a lackluster seven-win performance in 2023. Now, it seems he’s also facing criticism from his former employer. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced the firing of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after the team’s Super Bowl LVIII loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Shanahan says hiring another energetic D Coordinator isn't something he necessarily wants. Nor was it a reason Wilks was fired.
"Watch Saleh now, he's not that energetic."
— Rob “Stats” Guerrera (@StatsOnFire) February 14, 2024
In doing so, Shanahan indirectly took aim at Saleh, a move that caught many by surprise given their previous working relationship. Saleh, who previously served as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Shanahan from 2017-2020, was highly regarded as one of the league’s top defensive minds, leading to his hiring by the Jets.
However, Saleh’s tenure with the Jets has not lived up to expectations. Despite starting with four wins in 2021, his subsequent seasons saw only seven wins each, prompting Johnson to issue a warning to both Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas following the 2023 campaign.
