Aaron Rodgers is not going to fire himself, and it’s clear he’s not inclined to let go of Nathaniel Hackett, his friend and offensive coordinator.

However, Robert Saleh? He’s been let go.

On Tuesday, the Jets shocked everyone by firing Saleh after just five games into his fourth season, despite his poor overall record of 20 wins and 36 losses, which certainly raises questions about his effectiveness as a coach.

This move appears to be an act of desperation and seems directly tied to the struggles of the quarterback that the Jets hoped would lead them back to success.

Team owner Woody Johnson, who used to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the UK, made this decision right after the Jets suffered a disappointing 23-17 defeat against the Minnesota Vikings in London.

At a press conference, Johnson stated, “We felt we had to pursue a different path. Change can bring renewed energy and positivity.”

Johnson mentioned that although he spoke with Rodgers the night before, their conversation didn’t focus on Saleh. He also said he consulted with GM Joe Douglas, insisting that the decision was ultimately his own. However, it seems likely that Johnson wouldn’t have acted without Rodgers’ approval, especially as the Jets have been operating under the influence of “A-Rod Rules” for quite some time. This might also explain why Hackett remains employed despite the team’s struggles, with his offense ranking 27th in total yards across the NFL.

Hackett, who faced significant issues during his brief time as the Broncos’ head coach in 2022, was given a chance to revive his career alongside Rodgers, whom he previously coached in Green Bay. However, the partnership has not turned out well. Given that Rodgers seems to have Johnson’s ear, he likely wasn’t advocating for Saleh’s continuation.

The situation is quite a mess. Saleh, a defensive specialist, leaves behind a defense that ranks second overall in the NFL. With defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepping up as interim coach, the defense is expected to keep performing well.

The issue isn’t with the defense, and it won’t be a problem next season, especially if Johnson manages to entice Bill Belichick to take over as coach.

However, Saleh seems to be paying for the failure to achieve significant victories after being granted the opportunity to coach a future Hall of Fame quarterback. The Jets provided him with Rodgers, his chosen coordinator, and even hired a new offensive line coach. Additionally, they aimed to add top pass rusher Haason Reddick—who, as of now, is still a holdout—but the results remain poor.

Thus, the significant investment in Rodgers, combined with Saleh’s inability to secure wins with him, ultimately points back to the quarterback. Despite the disappointing game in London, it seems illogical to make this decision at this time. Perhaps Rodgers’ body language and cold demeanor towards Saleh during the Patriots game indicated a deterioration in their relationship, especially in light of Johnson’s comments about seeking “positive energy.”

Ultimately, the Jets’ ongoing dysfunction continues. While the offense struggles, the front office chooses to maintain the status quo, which lacks logic. Rodgers, coming back from a torn Achilles that marred his debut season in 2023, has not been playing at the MVP level the Jets expected when they traded for him. The 40-year-old veteran is showing considerable rust, and his once-familiar rhythm is lacking. Last Sunday, he threw three interceptions and failed to get his team into scoring position during a crucial drive.

It’s not only Rodgers who is the issue. The Jets are dead last in the league with only 402 rushing yards and a meager average of 3.6 yards per carry. The offensive line is not providing adequate support for either the run game or protecting against pass rushes.

Things need fixing, and I suspect the issues run deeper than just Rodgers’ performance. Trading for the disgruntled Raiders receiver Davante Adams might help, but the Jets will still need to improve their blocking and running game.

So, why fire Saleh now? Why not allow this season to unfold? At 2-3, the Jets have a strong defense that presents them with a real opportunity to compete for the AFC East title against the Buffalo Bills. If they can gain momentum, they might even position themselves as Super Bowl contenders, since strong defense is key to winning championships, especially when paired with a top-tier quarterback.

Johnson’s decision to dismiss Saleh midseason marks a significant shift from his past actions. Historically, during his 25-year ownership, he hasn’t fired a coach during the season before. In 2020, he allowed Adam Gase to complete a dismal 2-14 season, and he waited until after the 4-12 campaigns to part ways with both Todd Bowles in 2018 and Rex Ryan in 2014. Herm Edwards was permitted to finish a 2-14 season back in 2005 as well.

Now, Johnson is taking an entirely different approach by letting Saleh go during the season.

Perhaps the franchise quarterback, with Hackett’s support, will spark the turnaround the Jets were hoping for by now. Yet, fans who have endured years of disappointment are wise not to get their hopes up. It’s more likely that the franchise’s future depends on finding a new head coach for the Jets.