After acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, there were some expectations that the New York Jets could make a deep playoff run last season under head coach Robert Saleh. Instead, the team disappointed and sunk in the standings throughout that period.

With plans of making the Super Bowl this year, the Jets bit the bullet and traded for Rodgers. Unfortunately, New York found itself without several key players due to injuries. The most significant of them occurred in Week 1 when Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon, ending any playoff hope in the process.

New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson
Dec 24, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) on the field after the game against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Instead of Rodgers running the team’s offense, the Jets counted on Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle as the team’s quarterbacks. And while New York started the regular season with a 4-3 run, things only got worse because of a five-game losing streak.

As a result, the Jets finished the regular season with a 7-10 record, placing them third in the AFC East division. This marks the 13th consecutive year New York has missed the playoffs, making it the longest active postseason drought.

Why The New York Jets Should Fire Robert Saleh and Hire Mike Vrabel Instead

New York Jets, Robert Saleh
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh claps his hands as he greets his team during warm-ups before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Dec. 17, 2023.
If the Jets want to end that drought and make the playoffs, the front office will have to let Saleh go and give the head coaching gig to Mike Vrabel. Aaron Schatz explains more in his article for ESPN:

“There are too many good head-coaching candidates on the market and too many last-chance coaches heading into the 2024 season. Why not just make the change now? The Jets could jettison a coach with an 18-33 career record in exchange for a coach who has already had success. Vrabel had winning records in four of his six seasons in Tennessee, including leading the Titans to the No. 1 seed in 2021 despite a myriad of injuries,” Schatz wrote.

Even though the Jets’ defense may potentially get hurt, the upside to getting Vrabel is just greater. If New York really wants to get out of the rut they’re in right now, they have to make a decision on Saleh as soon as possible.