Bill Belichick shares his thoughts on Jets firing Robert Saleh

Nov 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Jets surprised a lot of people when they fired head coach Robert Saleh this week, and it sounds like even Bill Belichick did not see the move coming.

Belichick discussed the current state of the Jets during the latest episode of his “Coach Podcast,” which was released on Wednesday. The 72-year-old made his feelings on Saleh’s firing quite clear when he called the decision “puzzling.”

“It is a little bit puzzling. It is what it is, and everybody has to move forward. It’s the owner’s prerogative to make that decision, and clearly that’s what he decided to do,” Belichick said, via Scott Polacek of Bleacher Report. “But there have been a lot of things that have been kind of confusing. It hasn’t been a great situation for the Jets this year. You can kind of feel there’s been kind of a chill.”

Belichick then went on to note that the Jets have “overall played pretty good defense over the last few years.” That is notable considering Saleh has a defensive background. Many have wondered why the Jets fired their defensive-minded coach when their offense has been their biggest issue. Belichick has the same questions.

The former New England Patriots coach also mentioned the situation with star pass-rusher Haason Reddick and questioned some of the personnel decisions that have been made in New York.

“I think when you look at the Jets over the past decade, back to Rex Ryan, (Eric) Mangini, Adam Gase, there hasn’t been a lot of success,” Belichick added.

Belichick has never been shy about taking shots at the Jets. That is part of the reason it was surprising to see where he fell on the list of odds for who will become the next head coach in New York.

Jets owner Woody Johnson obviously felt his team needed a major change in the wake of their 2-3 start. Saleh was in many ways the fall guy, and even Belichick seems to view it that way.