Jets' New Coach Unlikely to Bring Winning

Robert Saleh’s background and experience could bring more losing to New York

Saleh’s record as a defensive coordinator shows no improvement year over year

Robert Saleh, the New York Jets' newly appointed head coach, has an underwhelming track record as a defensive coordinator. In his four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, the team's defense allowed an average of 284.3 passing yards per game, ranking 27th in the NFL. Additionally, the 49ers' defense gave up an average of 134.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th in the NFL.

Saleh's teams have not shown signs of defensive improvement

Under Saleh's leadership, the 49ers' defense actually regressed in several key areas. In 2017, the 49ers allowed 260.6 passing yards per game, but that number jumped to 290.3 in 2018. Similarly, the team allowed 112.6 rushing yards per game in 2017, but that number increased to 140.3 in 2018.

While some may argue that Saleh's defense was simply a product of a weak roster, the numbers suggest otherwise. In 2019, the 49ers added several key defensive players, including Nick Bosa and Dee Ford. However, the team's defense actually performed worse under Saleh's leadership, allowing 299.1 passing yards per game and 139.4 rushing yards per game. These numbers are particularly concerning given that the 49ers had a top-10 offense in 2019, meaning that the defense was not being put in difficult situations.

Saleh's lack of success as a coordinator is a major red flag for the Jets

The Jets are hoping that Saleh can turn around their struggling defense. However, his track record as a defensive coordinator suggests that he is unlikely to bring success to New York. The Jets have a long history of poor defensive play, and it is unlikely that Saleh will be able to change that trend. Furthermore, the Jets have a number of holes on their roster, and it is unclear how Saleh will be able to fill those holes with the limited resources he has.

The Jets' decision to hire Saleh is a risky one. His track record as a defensive coordinator is underwhelming, and it is unclear whether he will be able to turn around the Jets' struggling defense. The Jets are hoping that Saleh can be the coach who finally brings them success, but his past performance suggests that he is unlikely to live up to expectations.