NFL Rumors: Robert Saleh 'Was Shocked When He Was Fired' by Jets' Woody Johnson

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh "was shocked when he was fired," according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.

Beyond a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings that dropped the Jets to 2-3, Cimini listed off some of the factors that raised questions over Saleh's future. Still, the coach was going through his normal operations right up until the moment he got kicked to the curb.

Cimini echoed earlier reporting from SNY's Connor Hughes about the 45-year-old wanting to remove play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and provided new information on what happened next.

"The plan was to demote him and give play-calling to passing game coordinator Todd Downing—a change ultimately made by [interim head coach Jeff] Ulbrich," Cimini wrote. "It was a tough call, knowing [Aaron] Rodgers' close relationship with Hackett, but Saleh made the moves Tuesday morning. He was looking ahead to the Bills.

"About a minute later, the Johnsons showed up at his office to deliver the news. Saleh requested the opportunity to address the team one last time, team sources said. He was denied."

Saleh's seat was already pretty warm before the 2024 season kicked off. Rodgers' Achilles injury wasn't the sole reason the Jets went 7-11 in 2023 and the coaching staff was partially culpable for the drama that unfolded throughout the year.

A midseason firing was always on the table if New York struggled out of the gate. The surprise stems from the fact that the team isn't playing that badly and Saleh couldn't wave a magic wand and make Rodgers younger and healthier.

Sports are a results-based business.

If the Jets go on to make the playoffs, then team owner Woody Johnson will be credited for making a bold call. Should this fail to turn things around, it will be another example of the dysfunction that has long plagued the franchise.