New York Jets

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has tapped Jeff Ulbrich to become his defensive coordinator. 

We've also hired five assistants to our defensive coaching staff.

📰 https://t.co/sifi2qYwe8 pic.twitter.com/xRk3NAq6iM

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 21, 2021

Ulbrich, 43, was an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach last season with the Atlanta Falcons. He played for the San Francisco 49ers at linebacker from 2000-2009 before moving to the sidelines and quickly rose up the ranks. 

Now in New York, Ulbrich is set to become the defensive play-caller and one of Saleh's most trusted assistants. 

Saleh confirmed Ulbrich will have control of the defense during games, handing over the responsibilities Saleh was lauded for in San Francisco.

In his introductory press conference, Saleh said:

“I've got the utmost respect and confidence in Jeff Ulbrich to be able to do that. This is an organization that has to work locked in arms and work together. ... And to be able to have that focus and ensure that the entire organization is moving in the direction that we want, I won't be calling plays.”

The two coaches previously worked together under Pete Carroll on the Seattle Seahawks in 2011. Ulbrich was just getting his start as an assistant on special teams, while Saleh was working as the defensive quality control coach. 

Now the duo are reunited and in charge of turning around the ninth-worst defense in the league. The Jets gave up 387.6 yards and 28.6 points per game last year. There's little time to waste as they look to strengthen a franchise many before them have failed to revive. 

Robert Saleh is proud to be the first Muslim head coach in NFL history after being hired by the New York Jets.

"It is a very humbling experience," he told reporters Thursday. "An NFL locker room is the ultimate melting pot. To be part of that is special and humbling." 

The Dearborn, Michigan native has spent the past four years as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, helping the unit rank in the top five in yards allowed in each of the last two seasons.

The 49ers ranked dead last in the NFL in both yards and points allowed in 2016, the year before Saleh took over. The immediate transformation, plus his success in 2020 despite numerous injuries, helped him become one of the more respected coordinators in the league.

Even with his qualifications, becoming the first Muslim head coach is a significant step for the league.

Saleh said Thursday it is a source of pride for his hometown, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.

According to Khaled A. Beydoun of The Undefeated, Saleh attended Fordson High School, which has a 95 percent Arab student body.

The 41-year-old now has a tough job ahead of him with the Jets, who have gone 10 years without a playoff appearance and finished with the second-worst record in the NFL at 2-14 in 2020.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are all but certain to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, which means the draft will essentially start with the second overall pick.

In other words, the New York Jets will control what happens through the rest of the opening round.

The Jets could take a quarterback with that pick, whether it's Ohio State's Justin Fields, BYU's Zach Wilson or North Dakota State's Trey Lance. However, they should instead trade it for a huge windfall to greatly improve their roster for new head coach Robert Saleh and build around current starter Sam Darnold. 

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Saleh and incoming offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur "have watched a lot of Sam Darnold tape and they believe he has untapped potential."

Patience isn't a virtue in today's NFL. A few young quarterbacks have ruined the curve for others who aren't placed in ideal situations and need more time to develop. If the ongoing season taught us anything, it's that patience can be rewarded when a team properly builds around its talented young signal-caller. 

The Jets bumbled their way through a 2-14 campaign that led to head coach Adam Gase's dismissal. The dysfunction and disappointment over the last two seasons can be boiled down to one quote. 

"I just want to be coached to be better," outside linebacker Tarell Basham told reporters. "I feel like I'm a player along with a lot of players on the team who still have more developing to do and can still get better."

Darnold is at the forefront of those who have yet to realize their potential. He is far from blameless with a 28-to-24 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his last 24 games. But to his credit, the third-year quarterback took his share of the blame once the dismal season came to a close. 

"I definitely didn't play well this year," Darnold told reporters. "I think there were really only the two games that we won. I think I can definitely play better in the future. I don't think I played well enough this year. I wasn't consistent enough. That's really it."

A new staff brings new life to most on the roster. Saleh is different in almost every way from Gase, who was viewed as an offensive whiz, quarterback whisperer and intelligent taskmaster. While Gase didn't appear to connect with players like a head coach must, former players rave about Saleh and his communication and motivational skills. 

"He's able to rally men," San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said this season, per Newsday's Bob Glauber. "He's a leader of men. That goes a long way."

Jets players are crying out for that type of leadership. 

"I definitely want to see a guy who comes in here and sets his culture, sets his standard and sets the process," Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams said. "We'll fall in line and follow suit."

A stable environment can work wonders for any player, especially a quarterback. Just look at others in Darnold's draft class. 

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen emerged as an MVP candidate this season, his third in the league. Once considered a developmental prospect with top-shelf physical tools, the Bills successfully built around him with major investments along the offensive line and wide receivers while maintaining the same coaching staff, system and philosophies the entire time. With Allen putting in the requisite offseason work on his mechanics, he dramatically improved his accuracy and overall consistency. 

Lamar Jackson experienced something similar with the Baltimore Ravens, whose coaching staff changed its offensive approach to facilitate and nurture his unique skill set. Jackson regressed some this past season, but he was named the league's MVP last year. 

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, Baker Mayfield, followed a path more in line with Darnold in that the Cleveland Browns changed coaches and systems multiple times early in his career. New head coach Kevin Stefanski and the quality coaches he brought with him finally allowed Mayfield to blossom, and there are no longer questions about who will lead the team after an 11-5 campaign and postseason appearance. 

Some semblance of cohesion should help the young players on the Jets roster looking for direction. Darnold, who won't turn 24 until June, is two years younger than Mayfield, a year behind Allen and a few months Jackson's junior. 

The Jets' previous organizational instability coupled with Darnold's age and potential make a quarterback change less likely than believed a few months ago. 

"They like [Darnold] a lot," another candidate for the head coaching job said when asked about ownership's quarterback prospect, per Cimini. 

LaFleur's offensive scheme should borrow from, if not outright imitate, Kyle Shanahan's quarterback-friendly system. The 49ers' former passing coordinator figures to bring elements of bootleg action and pocket movement to take advantage of Darnold's strengths as an off-platform thrower. The Jets should let him grow into a proven offense, especially one that should set him up for success. 

If the Jets do keep Darnold as their starter, they'll have a ton of options with the No. 2 pick.

A number of teams around the league will be searching for quarterback help this offseason. Multiple teams within the top 10 of the draft desperately need upgrades, and the Jets should entertain whichever one wants to move up and take its preferred prospect once Lawrence is off the board. 

The Atlanta Falcons (fourth overall), Detroit Lions (seventh overall) and Carolina Panthers (eighth overall) should all be in play. The Falcons and Lions have decisions to make regarding their current starters, Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford, respectively. The Panthers still have Teddy Bridgewater under contract for another two years, but he seems more like a bridge to another starter. 

The Jets can look to their trade for Darnold as the asking price from any of those teams. Three years ago, they traded the No. 6 overall pick and three second-rounders to move up to No. 3 to take Darnold.

The Falcons, Lions and Panthers shouldn't be the Jets' only trade options, though. 

The Washington Football Team (19th overall), Chicago Bears (20th overall) and Indianapolis Colts (21st overall) could each make aggressive moves up the draft board. The Bills moved up twice to select Allen—from 21st to 12th to seventh—by giving up a pair of second-round picks, a fifth-rounder and veteran offensive lineman Cordy Glenn.

Everything depends on what Jets general manager Joe Douglas is willing to accept in return for the No. 2 pick. New York already owns an additional first-round pick (23rd overall) thanks to the Jamal Adams trade. 

Adding even more draft picks—whether this year or in the future—will allow Douglas to build a better roster around Darnold.

The offense currently lacks a consistent threat among the outside wide receivers. Running back Frank Gore, who turns 38 in May, isn't likely to return after leading the team with 653 rushing yards. Tight end Chris Herndon didn't develop as expected, though some of his issues are likely scheme/quarterback-related. Still, the Jets could upgrade at the position. The offensive line could also use another addition or two, even after last year's investments. 

It makes far more sense for the Jets to take a holistic approach rather than thinking a single player will create a drastic change, especially when there's no reason to give up on Darnold's untapped potential.

To do so, they should put the No. 2 overall pick up for sale.

          

Plenty of New York Jets fans are hoping to get a new quarterback in the 2021 NFL draft, but defensive tackle Quinnen Williams is "wishing" the team takes receiver DeVonta Smith at No. 2 overall.

Williams discussed his former Alabama teammate with TMZ Sports:

"DeVonta Smith got that 'Bama in him, and I think that we need someone with that," Williams said. "Man, he's amazing. The things he did this week, this year."

Smith became the first receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since 1991, finishing the season with an NCAA-best 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had 215 receiving yards and three touchdowns in just the first half of the national title game win over Ohio State.

"That's something I really think we should add to our team," Williams added.

Jets quarterback Sam Darnold has shown promise, but the team still finished 2020 dead last in the NFL in both points scored and total yards gained. Adding a playmaker like Smith could go a long way toward turning things around in New York.  

New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas will reportedly keep "all options open" at quarterback heading into the offseason amid questions about Sam Darnold's future with the franchise.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Saturday the Darnold situation is "not cut and dry" despite speculation the hiring of head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur was a good sign for him returning as the team's starting quarterback in 2021.

It's impossible to draw any definitive conclusions about the 23-year-old USC product, who's been saddled with poor coaching and a lackluster supporting cast through three NFL seasons since the Jets selected him with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.

Darnold has completed 59.8 percent of his throws for 8,097 yards, with 45 touchdowns and 39 interceptions across 38 appearances. His 78.6 career passer rating is below average, and he ranked last among qualified quarterbacks in ESPN's Total QBR (40.4) in 2020.

The arrival of Saleh and LaFleur combined with some offseason upgrades to the offense could allow him to make the leap fellow 2018 first-round picks Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen made this season, though.

"I love it here," Darnold told reporters in December. "I love the people, I love living here. I've always said I want to be a Jet for life, but that decision isn't necessarily up to me. But that's how I feel."

The Jets find themselves in an advantageous position with the second pick in the 2021 draft.

They can take their quarterback prospect of choice, likely Ohio State's Justin Fields or BYU's Zach Wilson if Clemson's Trevor Lawrence goes first overall as expected. Or they can put the selection on the trade block and demand a king's ransom from a quarterback-needy team.

Another option if they want to stick with Darnold is taking Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell to bolster one of the league's worst offensive lines.

If the Jets decide to move on at quarterback, the 2017 First-Team All-Pac-12 selection should attract plenty of trade interest as somebody who could potentially thrive in a new environment.

So there are a lot of different variables in play as the Jets plot a path toward ending their 10-year playoff drought, and thus it's not surprising Douglas and the front office want to keep their options open at the sport's most important position.

Saleh and LaFleur, whose fate in New York will likely be heavily tied to finding the right quarterback, will probably have a major say in the decision-making process, as well.

The New York Jets announced they hired Robert Saleh as their next head coach Thursday, but the changes may not carry over to the quarterback spot.

"Right now, I think the plan would be to proceed with Sam Darnold as the quarterback of the New York Jets in 2021," ESPN's Adam Schefter said.

Schefter also noted the "Jets will entertain offers" for the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, which could go to a quarterback-hungry team looking to solidify the position for the foreseeable future.

Darnold has been anything but a success since New York selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft, but he has also dealt with two head coaches in his first three years, a lackluster supporting cast and some injury concerns.

He has 45 career touchdown passes to 39 interceptions and is 13-25 as a starter.

That leaves much to be desired, and the Jets are in position to perhaps press reset on the entire franchise with a new head coach and the No. 2 pick in the draft. It's not as if there will be a shortage of quarterbacks available, either, as Ohio State's Justin Fields, BYU's Zach Wilson, North Dakota State's Trey Lance and perhaps even Alabama's Mac Jones could hear their names called early.

That's also assuming the Jacksonville Jaguars choose Clemson's Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick.

So many quarterbacks would give the Jets some options, but it could also create a bidding war if multiple teams fall in love with one of them. In that scenario, the Jets could load up on additional picks and focus on improving the roster around Darnold in hopes he finally establishes himself as a franchise quarterback in his fourth season.

That may be what it takes for New York to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010 even if Saleh uses his defensive acumen to improve that side of the ball.

The New York Jets announced that they agreed to a deal with Robert Saleh to make him their new head coach. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that it's a five-year deal and that San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur will be Saleh's offensive coordinator:

New Jets’ HC Robert Saleh is expected to take 49ers passing game coordinator Mike LaFleur as his offensive coordinator, per sources. https://t.co/3b8mPeFfPU

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2021

Saleh spent the last four years as San Francisco's defensive coordinator. Prior to that, he was the Jacksonville Jaguars' linebackers coach from 2014 to 2016.

The 49ers' defensive numbers illustrate why Saleh's stock has risen to the point he's getting the opportunity to coach his own team.

Upon joining Kyle Shanahan's staff in 2017, Saleh inherited a defense that allowed both the most yards (406.4) and most points (30.0) per game. San Francisco also ranked 28th in defensive efficiency, per Football Outsiders.

Fast forward to 2019 and the Niners earned the NFC's top seed thanks in no small part to an elite defense. They finished second in yards allowed (281.8) and eighth in points allowed (19.4), and Football Outsiders ranked them second in defensive efficiency.

Shanahan likely felt some level of vindication since Saleh wasn't on firm footing as the 2018 campaign drew to a close.

"I'm with him every day," Shanahan said in December 2018, per The Athletic's Matt Barrows. "So I know how good of a coach he is. I know how he is schematically. I know how he is dealing with the players. I know what he can handle just with his personality and how smart he is and that's a lot. I also know that he took over a 32nd-ranked defense." 

As Saleh became a candidate for the Cleveland Browns prior to this past season, Richard Sherman sang his praises following San Francisco's divisional-round win over the Minnesota Vikings:

#49ers @RSherman_25 on defense and Robert Saleh’s worthiness to become #Browns coach pic.twitter.com/nIYwsNUEGB

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 12, 2020

However, some might contend the 49ers' improvement on defense was more the result of the personnel and less to do with Saleh, a point to which For The Win's Steven Ruiz alluded:

"Based on his three years in San Francisco, Saleh appears to be a non-factor as a coach. He won't actively hurt your team; but he won't make it any better, either. When the 49ers defense lacked talent, it ranked in the bottom third of the league. In 2019, the roster is loaded and Saleh has turned in good results. But he won't be bringing all that talent along with him to his new coaching job, so it'd be foolish to expect him to replicate those results."

Building a dominant defense is certainly much easier when you have Nick Bosa, Dee Ford and Sherman, all of whom arrived after Saleh's hiring. Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw were draft picks in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

That's to say nothing of the contributions from DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead, Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward—all of whom were high draft picks before Saleh's arrival.

Ruiz drew a parallel to Gus Bradley, who became the Jaguars' head coach in 2013 based on his work as the Seattle Seahawks' defensive coordinator. Bradley was fired in December 2016 after compiling a 14-48 record.

2020 was a firm rebuttal to those still skeptical of Saleh. Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, while Sherman and Bosa played in seven combined games. 

The unit went backward slightly in 2020, but that was largely down to getting hammered by injuries. That San Francisco still surrendered the fifth-fewest yards (314.4) is a testament to Saleh's coaching.

As a first-time head coach, the structure of his coaching staff will be critical to Saleh's success early on. He's bound to have some growing pains, which he can mask with the right set of coordinators and position coaches around him.

The Jets are in a position where they either need to make a firm commitment to Sam Darnold for 2021 or strongly consider using the No. 2 overall pick on a quarterback to start over.

That led many to wonder whether New York would look toward an offensive-minded former head coach or top assistant as it replaced Adam Gase.

Granted, the team already went in that direction with Gase, and the results were disastrous. The Jets were last in yards in each of the past two seasons.

In that respect, Saleh's predecessor left plenty of room for improvement.

The New York Jets have reportedly narrowed their list of head coaching candidates, and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is the first known finalist.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofalo, the Jets are flying Saleh in for a second interview Tuesday and there will likely be others who receive the same treatment.

The Jets are in search of a new head coach after the firing of Adam Gase, who went just 9-23 in two seasons at the helm, including a 2-14 mark this season.

Per Brian Costello of the New York Post, other candidates the Jets have either interviewed or plan to include Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn.

Another candidate who could find his way into the mix is Doug Pederson, who was fired Monday as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles after five seasons and a Super Bowl win in 2017.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas was the Eagles' vice president of player personnel for Pederson's first three seasons, so there is a clear connection. Despite that, Costello noted Pederson is far from a "slam dunk" to be the Jets' next head coach.

In Saleh, the Jets are considering a highly sought-after candidate who is looking to land his first head coaching job.

Along with the Jets, Saleh has reportedly interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

He could be an especially good fit in Detroit since he is a Dearborn, Michigan, native who played at Northern Michigan and coached at both Michigan State and Central Michigan.

Also, in December following the Lions' firing of Matt Patricia, a group of Michigan state legislators appealed to Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp and asked her to consider hiring Saleh as Patricia's replacement.

The 41-year-old Saleh has been the Niners' DC for the past four seasons and has experienced a great deal of success during that time. San Francisco ranked second in total defense in 2019 en route to the Super Bowl, and it ranked fifth in total defense this season despite suffering several key injuries and going just 6-10 as a team.

Those numbers suggest Saleh could make a hugely positive impact to any squad's defense, and the Jets need it after ranking 24th in total defense and 26th in scoring defense this season.

Saleh could have his pick of multiple head coaching jobs, though, meaning the Jets are far from guaranteed to land him even if he is their preferred candidate.