Bill Belichick breaks silence on Jets’ ‘puzzling’ firing of Robert Saleh

Legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick has spoken out about the Jets’ firing of head coach Robert Saleh, calling the move from the 2-3 team “confusing.”

Saleh, who went 20-36 with New York, was given his marching orders after the team’s 23-17 loss to the Vikings in London.

And while the Jets’ offense sputtered even with Aaron Rodgers under center, Belichick — who once accepted the Jets’ head coaching job only to resign a day later — was surprised by Gang Green’s decision to part ways from Saleh.

‘It’s a bit confusing. It is what it is, and everyone has to move forward,” he said on his ‘Coach’ podcast. “It’s the owner’s prerogative to make that decision, and that’s clearly what he’s decided to do.

“But there have been a lot of things that have been quite confusing. It wasn’t a great situation for the Jets this year. You kind of feel like there’s been a chill.”

And Bill Belichick, who is currently out of an NFL coaching job, called the decision ‘puzzling’

After the decision, owner Woody Johnson said, “This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be getting our hopes up, and I think this is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”

Following his firing, Saleh also released a statement thanking the Jets and their fan base for their support during his nearly four years there.

“I am grateful to the Jets Organization for allowing me to work with so many great people. “I will always appreciate the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive,” he said in a statement.

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

“It was an honor for my fellow coaches and staff to work with all of you. You were all ‘all in’ and made sacrifices for each other that will never be forgotten. I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the season.

Belichick spent three years with the Jets and accepted the job as the team’s head coach in 2000 before resigning a day later

Aaron Rodgers later denied playing a role in Saleh’s firing on The Pat McAfee Show

“To the most passionate fan base in the NFL, thank you for embracing my family. It was a pleasure to call New York our home and we will forever appreciate all the memories created here.”

While the Jets established themselves as an elite defensive team under Saleh, they consistently struggled on offense, largely because Zach Wilson was under center from 2021-2023.

But even with Rodgers returning from his Achilles injury this season, the team is averaging just 18.6 points per game – and Saleh was ultimately given the loss.

Some had suggested that Rodgers — who is a close friend of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett — instigated the firing, although Rodgers called those claims “ridiculous” on the Pat McAfee show.

Hackett has since been demoted by interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.