Bill Belichick rips Jets owner Woody Johnson over Robert Saleh firing: 'Just prepare, fire, aim'
Bill Belichick complained to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson on Monday night about his decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh last week.
Belichick, speaking to Payton and Eli Manning on ESPN's alternate broadcast during the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, absolutely ripped Johnson.
“It felt too early for me to make a coaching change,” Manning said.
“Yeah, well, that's how it was on the Jets,” Belichick responded. “They've barely won more than 30% in the last 10 years. The owner is the owner, just prepare, fire, aim.”
The Jets fired Saleh on Tuesday, just five games into the season. Saleh was hired ahead of the 2021 campaign in what was his first head coaching job in the league. He finished 20-36 and never had a winning season. The Jets have promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to interim head coach.
The decision to fire Saleh surprised a lot of people in the NFL world. Johnson said he felt Saleh was not living up to expectations.
“This is one of the most talented teams the New York Jets have ever assembled,” Johnson said last week. “I want to give the team the best chance to win this season. [so] I think we need to go the other way.”
Belichick worked for the organization, famously as its head coach for one day before abruptly resigning, and spent more than two decades competing against Johnson while leading the New England Patriots.
Johnson bought the Jets in 2000, the same year Belichick took over in New England after serving as the Jets' defensive coordinator. During that time, Belichick – with the help of quarterback Tom Brady – won six Super Bowls and 17 division titles. The Jets have won the AFC East a single time and have made six playoff appearances in the same stretch. They have not been to the playoffs since the 2010 season and have gone eight seasons without a winning record.
Belichick and the Patriots parted ways earlier this year, and he has now transitioned into a media role with ESPN. Naturally, this lead to an even warmer reception from the head coach who was known for his relatively reserved and proud demeanor.
When it comes to how the Jets are being run, though, Belichick thinks Saleh is doing a good job.
“I'm not a Jets fan, if you don't know that … Coach Saleh has done a good job with that program,” Belichick said. “He brought a culture, toughness and a level of competitiveness … I thought he did a nice job with this team and they're probably not too far away from winning.”
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