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‘Saleh wasn’t the problem for the Jets, it’s Rodgers’
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‘Saleh wasn’t the problem for the Jets, it’s Rodgers’

BBC Sport columnist banner featuring Phoebe Schecter

(BBC)

Former Buffalo Bills assistant coach Phoebe Schecter is an NFL pundit and plays for the British Flag Football team.

Robert Saleh became the first NFL head coach to lose his job this season when he was fired by the New York Jets after last Sunday’s loss in London, and I was surprised it happened so early.

It’s not that they have a terrible track record. They are 2-3 heading into Monday Night Football against Buffalo, their division rivals. They could be playing for first place in their division, so it actually felt a little abrupt, but ultimately I don’t think Saleh was the problem.

When you land a quarterback like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers – one of the biggest names in sports – you get a lot more than just a player. He almost becomes his own offensive coordinator, right? That’s not necessarily an easy relationship for a head coach and quarterback, and there were signs of the water being muddied between Saleh and Rodgers.

Rodgers had a really good game against the Patriots three weeks ago, but there was a moment when Saleh went to hug him and Rodgers pushed him away. After losing to Denver, they both talked about cadence issues and people being held accountable. Those were signs that things were heading this way, but because it’s coming so quickly, I think it’s unfortunate for Saleh.

The Jets have named (defensive coordinator) Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach and he said (quarterbacks coach) Todd Downing will be the offensive play-caller.

He essentially demoted (offensive coordinator) Nathaniel Hackett, which I think is what Saleh wanted to do before he was fired. But Saleh, a defensive head coach, had lost that strength on the offensive side of the ball and I don’t feel like Rodgers would have created a nice environment for him there.

I think it’s telling that once Ulbrich steps into the role, he demotes Hackett. Ulbrich has been there, he’s seen what’s going on, he’s been to all the team meetings, so he’ll know what the problem is.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers pushes New York Jets coach Robert Saleh away as he tries to give him a hugQuarterback Aaron Rodgers pushes New York Jets coach Robert Saleh away as he tries to give him a hug

Saleh’s awkward moment with Rodgers came as they celebrated taking a 14-0 lead midway through the second quarter after their 24-3 win over the Patriots in week three (Getty Images)

When we really look at it, I think the problem is that the 40-year-old Rodgers isn’t functioning at his best. He is not that mobile and threw three interceptions against the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Sunday.

When we talk about accountability, you can’t have what we call the BBL: bad body language. On the last interception Rodgers threw, the Jets went down the field to win the game and he had (wide receiver) Garrett Wilson open. He just threw the ball under there. But his immediate response is a shrug, palms up: “What are you doing?” You just don’t do that.

Rodgers has brought in his own people, like Hackett and (wide receiver) Allen Lazard. However, when Hackett was with Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers, he was the offensive coordinator, but head coach Matt LaFleur was still the play-caller.

To me, LaFleur was the genius behind it, putting Rodgers in the right positions. I think Hackett just did what Rodgers wants to do and play his style of football, but I don’t think that offensive plan suits the team best.

Trading for (Raiders receiver) Davante Adams is something I think the Jets will try to do now. They have the salary cap space to do it and Rodgers will want it because they have that relationship from playing together with the Packers for so long.

The Jets still have every chance to be a successful team, but if they do, people will think, ‘oh, that’s because they fired Saleh.’ That is not the case. Under Saleh, the Jets’ defense ranked in the top five in the league and gave them a chance to win their final two games; it’s the offense that was near the bottom of the pack.

The Jets have put themselves in a funny position, so it will be very interesting to see what happens when a new play-caller is brought in and how the defense operates now.

‘Special teams could be Rees-Zammit’s best way to get a spot’

The Jacksonville Jaguars are now in London to play the Bears and Patriots over the next two Sundays, and it’s great to see former Wales rugby player Louis Rees-Zammit traveling with them.

He can’t play this Sunday because he’s on the Jags’ practice squad after spending the summer with the Chiefs. They put him at running back, but that’s a very difficult position for him.

Not only do you have to know the plays, you have to read so much, and maybe you also have to do pass blocking, where you have to guess where the (defensive) pressure is coming from.

The Jags have turned him into a bigger slot receiver that you don’t have to think about as much. They hope he catches the ball, makes a player miss the tackle and run away. That’s more rugby-like and something that I think suits him better.

But special teams is a great way to get on the roster and that should be something the Jags look at: using Louis as a kick returner, looking for that one hole. That’s what you want to see: him in space, using his speed.

The most important thing he can do is show himself on the practice squad, keep asking questions and when an opportunity presents itself, give it 110%.

Phoebe Schecter spoke to BBC Sport’s Ben Collins