Struggles with New York Jets Lead Coach Robert Saleh to Jokingly Discuss Desperate Need for 'Psychological Support'
Rewritten Article
In the unforeseen turn of events, Robert Saleh found himself jobless after the New York Jets let him go last season. Like someone rummaging through the debris after a surprise storm, Saleh figured out his next steps.
He was:
- Startled: Who'd have thought this would happen to me?
- Perplexed: How on earth did this go south?
- Healing, sorta: This shouldn't have happened to me.
ROBERT SALEH LEBANON FLAG
Green Bay Journey: A Therapeutic Venture for Saleh
Remember that life-changing opportunity Saleh received from Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur? He was offered a consulting role, taking a peek at the Packers' offense from a defensive perspective. This IRONICALLY proved beneficial for Saleh, who needed a fresh outlook more than LaFleur did.
"Let's be real, I crack jokes with Matt, I think I gave him more therapy than he did for me," Saleh, now the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, candidly told reporters.
"It was just about giving him defensive insights on how opposing teams might analyze their offense or how to potentially exploit it. But, I'm forever grateful to Matty for allowing me into his domain and offering the opportunity to work there, if only for the mental relief."
Aged 46, battered far from his glory days with the Jets.
Apart from the dreadful 20-36 record in his fourth season, New York was indeed a hot mess for Saleh.
Jets: A Lose-Lose Situation
Things went south faster than an ice cream cone in the summer sun when the Zach Wilson pick (the second overall choice in the 2021 draft) turned sour. Unready to play and struggling with the New York limelight, Wilson couldn't deliver, further denting his confidence. Even as the coaches lost faith in him, he refused to step back up when Saleh wanted him back in the lineup.
It got messy.
(Rest assured, he eventually played, despite his reservations.)
Besides the Wilson conundrum, there was also that contentious meeting between Saleh and the team's football staff, urging them to publish the media leaks IMMEDIATELY. The meeting transpired, and media outlets swarmed for details—much like flies to a rotting corpse.
Then there was the Aaron Rodgers fiasco where he played only four snaps in the 2023 season, leading to a ruptured achilles.
So Close Yet So Far: Woody Johnson
Ultimately, owner Woody Johnson decided to cut ties with Saleh midway through the season, stating, "We aren't where we should be, considering our expectations."
The Jets were 2-3 at the time, but they ended the season with a record of 5-12.
It wasn't just the losing that plagued the fans; after all, they'd gotten used to that. However, the drama that unfolded off the field was hard to swallow.
ONE MORE MEMORY: Who could forget the Hell Mary, that 99-yard interception return for a touchdown on a Tim Boyle Hail Mary pass during the NFL's first Black Friday game?
The entire experience may have left Saleh with battle scars.
Lessons Learned, Scars Healed: Saleh
But now, as the dust settles, Saleh feels he's learned valuable lessons.
"Life's a roller coaster, my friend. Every once in a while, you're thrown a curveball you weren't anticipating. That's when you learn," he said.
"There ain't a manual for being a first-time head coach, and there's no manual for living, period. You learn a good bit through the process, discover a lot about yourself, figure out what you do right and what you could do better, and realize some valuable lessons."
It's safe to say Saleh wanted to return to his old team. Going back to the 49ers feels like coming home.
Assisting the 49ers Defense Again
In discussing the 49ers, it's impossible not to notice the stark contrast Saleh draws between his time with the Jets and his current role.
"This organization deserves nothing but the highest regard," Saleh said. "First off, starting from the top with Jed York, he's a stunner. Kyle Shanahan, his family, John Lynch, Paraag Marathe – they blessed me with a lot.
"During my first two years as defensive coordinator in 2017 and 2018, it wasn't a walk in the park. It could have been easy for them to move on from me, but they stuck with me. And together, we overcame the challenges. I owe them for life.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to reunite with them."
Looks like Green Bay helped heal some wounds.
- Robert Saleh found a mental relief during his consulting role with the Green Bay Packers, despite being jobless after being let go by the New York Jets.
- Saleh was offered a fresh outlook by Matt LaFleur, the Green Bay Packers coach, where he provided defensive insights to help the opposing teams analyze their offense.
- Saleh worked as a consultant for science-based health-and-wellness, promoting the importance of mental health during his time in Green Bay.
- As the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, Saleh is working to improve the team's defenses, using the lessons he learned from his challenging experience with the New York Jets.
