Bill Belichick didn’t hold back when discussing New York Jets owner Woody Johnson’s decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh during ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast. Speaking with Peyton and Eli Manning on their alternate broadcast as the Jets took on the Buffalo Bills in a 23-20 loss, Belichick delivered a sharp critique of Johnson’s leadership style.
When Peyton Manning commented on the firing, saying, “It seemed quite early to me to be making a coaching change,” Belichick responded with biting candor.
“Yeah, well look, that’s kind of what it’s been there at the Jets,” Belichick said. “They’ve barely won over 30% in the last 10 years. The owner being the owner, just ready, fire, aim.”
Belichick’s jab was directed at Johnson’s decision to fire Saleh just five games into the season. Saleh, hired in 2021, had gone 20-36 during his tenure, failing to deliver a winning season. Despite this, many around the NFL, including Belichick, were surprised by Johnson’s quick trigger. Saleh’s replacement, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Johnson justified the move by stating Saleh wasn’t meeting the team’s expectations. “This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” Johnson said last week. “I want to give the team the most opportunity to win this season, [so] I feel like we had to go in a different direction.”
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Belichick, however, wasn’t convinced by Johnson’s reasoning. As someone with deep connections to the Jets organization—he famously resigned as head coach after just one day before moving on to the New England Patriots—Belichick has long-standing history with both the franchise and its owner.
In his two-decade reign with the Patriots, Belichick dominated the AFC East, winning six Super Bowls and 17 division titles, while the Jets only managed one division title and six playoff appearances in the same time frame. The Jets haven’t reached the postseason since 2010 and have struggled for years to find consistent success.
While now in a new media role with ESPN after parting ways with the Patriots earlier this year, Belichick’s blunt opinions are likely to continue making waves, especially when it comes to his former rivals. His commentary on Johnson’s decision reflects his broader skepticism of how the Jets have been run over the years.
Despite his usual stoic demeanor, Belichick was quick to acknowledge that, in his view, Saleh was doing a commendable job with the team. “I’m not a big Jets fan, in case you don’t know that,” Belichick joked. “But Coach Saleh did a good job with that program. He brought in a culture, a level of toughness and competitiveness … I thought he did a pretty good job with this team, and they’re probably not that far away from winning.”
Belichick’s defense of Saleh, combined with his criticism of Johnson, highlights the tension between the Jets’ long-standing struggles and the decisions made by ownership.
The firing of Saleh, in Belichick’s view, may have been premature, especially for a franchise in desperate need of stability and progress.
Whether the Jets can turn things around under new leadership remains to be seen, but Belichick’s sharp words are sure to resonate with both fans and critics alike.
