Robert Saleh is exactly who NY Jets thought they were getting

There ought to now not be any doubt in regards to the Jets coach

In the NFL, coaches are judged virtually solely by wins and losses.

Big file? Votes for coach of the yr (see: Nick Sirianni). Bottom feeder? Job is on the road (Matt Rhule, Frank Reich, and counting).

After the New York Jets went 4-13 within the 2021 season, some whispers started to come up about Robert Saleh’s connection to the group. Of course, the repeat of final yr’s group included a talent-poor roster and a slew of accidents. Still, after 4 picks within the prime 40 within the draft and a collection of key free-agent acquisitions from Joe Douglas, there was stress on Saleh to place a decent product on the sphere.

Even earlier than the beginning of the yr, there were some complaints about communication about accidents. Mekhi Becton went from “hopefully he’ll be fine” to being out for the season with a fractured kneecap. Zach Wilson was initially a chance for Week 1 after injuring his preseason knee, however earlier than the opener, Saleh introduced that his starter wouldn’t return till Week 4 on the earliest.

To prime it off, the offseason included a commerce request from Denzel Mims, one which the group largely ignored.

At the beginning of the 2022 season, after a 1-2 begin, the questions started to mount. After all, the Jets led for simply 22 seconds in these first three video games (throughout Cleveland’s superb comeback) and had DJ Reed name the defensive miscommunication. Quinnen Williams obtained right into a heated argument with defensive position coach Aaron Whitecotton on the sideline, and Jeff Ulbrich made some curious feedback about Quinnen after the sport.

Meanwhile, Jets followers were pissed off with a few of the group’s selections. Mike LaFleur’s play calling appeared stagnant and out of line with the personnel. The costly defensive position was weak and the notorious rotation was seen as the primary perpetrator. The burden to right these team-wide points fell on Saleh.

But Saleh has weathered the storm. He did so after three video games, and he has continued to step up when a disaster threatens to overhaul the group.

First, there was the devastating lack of Breece Hall and Alijah Vera-Tucker, the group’s greatest offensive gamers, for the season. Soon after, there was Elijah Moore’s escalation from resentment to a commerce request and drama throughout. Most just lately, there was the locker room frustration with Zach Wilson over his rotten play and lack of accountability and the following choice to bench Wilson for Mike White, a state of affairs that is nonetheless enjoying itself out.

Throughout all of it, Saleh has taken the warmth on himself and brought it away from his gamers, whereas on the similar time giving a robust rationale for his selections. He mourned the losses of Hall and Vera-Tucker and rapidly proceeded to rally the group across the “next man up” mentality. He did not draw back from the truth that Moore’s commerce request was a distraction, however maintained a optimistic view of Moore’s character. Saleh mentioned he would again up the receiver and get him reintegrated into the offense. It took a couple of weeks, a bench and a few restricted pictures, however he is now completed simply that.

Meanwhile, the most important check got here after the group’s Week 11 loss in Foxborough in opposition to the Patriots. That sport, much more than New England’s first loss, had the potential to derail a promising season. It knocked the Jets out of playoff competition and forged great doubt on the way forward for the quarterback place. Saleh initially stood behind Zach Wilson in his postgame press convention.

However, the coach confirmed his potential to vary his thoughts and make troublesome selections. After saying he would consider the group and never commit Zach Wilson because the starter for the Week 12 matchup with the Bears, Saleh truly pulled the set off and inserted Mike White into the beginning lineup. In explaining the choice, Saleh reiterated that this was not the nail within the coffin for Wilson.

After Mike White’s robust efficiency in opposition to the Bears, Saleh has stood by his line that Zach Wilson will see the beginning lineup as soon as once more. He is daring in his decision-making, not getting too excessive for a win or too low for a loss. He follows traits and reveals adaptability. If White continues to succeed, Saleh will not flip to Wilson out of stubbornness; he’ll do what is greatest for the group.

All this and extra have demonstrated Saleh’s excellence as a pacesetter of individuals. Instead of the previous 49ers defensive coordinator calling the Jets protection, Joe Douglas wished Saleh to be the group’s CEO, operating the present by delegating appropriately.

Last yr and even bleeding into the beginning of this season, we at Jet X, together with many others, were essential of Jeff Ulbrich and wished Saleh to reverse a few of his defensive selections. We mentioned Saleh ought to instruct Mike LaFleur to let the quarterback get some freebies to set an offensive tempo.

It’s clear that Saleh has his finger on the heart beat of the group’s efficiency, as we have seen refined and not-so-subtle modifications in these areas. However, past that, the coach has the dressing room behind him via thick and skinny. Starting within the offseason, when CJ Uzomah declared that he got here to the Jets to play within the tradition that Robert Saleh was constructing, it was clear that this was not the identical group because the one coached by Todd Bowles or Adam Gase.

Saleh can deal with ruffled feathers internally by sustaining a relaxed demeanor within the media. He is the coach of the gamers, however their respect comes from each his soccer acumen and his protectiveness of his boys. They belief his course of.

Moreover, Saleh is not afraid to vary his selections in soccer. Aside from the extra notable benching of Zach Wilson, Bryce Hall has been inactive for many of the season as he was outplayed by Brandin Echols. The Jacob Martin commerce was a recognition by Saleh and Joe Douglas that Bryce Huff had far outgrown Martin. Against the Bears, Saleh scratched James Robinson in favor of undrafted free agent Bam Knight as a result of he most popular Knight’s vertical operating fashion, regardless of the draft decide being waived for Robinson.

I do not essentially agree with each choice made by Saleh. I used to be questioning why the Jets promoted Chris Streveler from the apply squad earlier than the Patriots first sport after which disabled him for the sport. I’d have sat Zach Wilson in each Patriots video games. I’d nonetheless moderately not see a defensive position rotation that features 4 backups on the sphere at one time. I’ve questioned Mike LaFleur’s calling at occasions and marvel why Saleh would not change it.

However, I’m certain of 1 factor: the Jets have the fitting coach on the helm. If anybody can lead the group to success, he can. If anybody can deliver the Jets again to respectability, it is the mix of Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas. I used to be extra assured about Douglas earlier than the season, however Saleh has earned his pictures with the way in which he has dealt with each shot after which some.

No matter how this season ends (and everybody across the Jets all the time suspects heartbreak is in retailer), Saleh is exactly who everybody informed us he is. The gamers who performed for and in opposition to him, the coaches who coached with him and the members of the media who know him got here down to at least one man. They mentioned he is a pacesetter. Everyone paid their respects.

Robert Saleh is the right CEO for the New York Jets.