Robert Saleh has made all the right Jets moves

Robert Saleh clearly had a message to ship Sunday night time, first to his crew then to the media. 

“We’ll see these guys once more,” Saleh slipped in throughout a solution in his press convention after the 20-12 loss to the Payments. 

The Jets coach is a talented chess participant and he confirmed as soon as once more that he was pondering a number of strikes forward with this remark. He instantly modified the topic from the errors the Jets made to lose the sport, took the negativity out of the locker room and instructed his gamers he believes in them, even after two losses. 

It was the most recent shrewd transfer from Saleh, who has confirmed this season he's the appropriate man for the job. 

“After we met with Robert, I used to be struck by his presence,” Jets chairman Christopher Johnson stated on the time of Saleh’s hiring in January 2021. 

That presence has helped rework a moribund franchise into one that's combating for a playoff spot with 4 video games left. Now, the turnaround has not all been about Saleh’s slogans and vitality. Higher gamers have helped immensely. However you can also’t overlook how effectively Saleh has navigated this season and steered the Jets via uneven waters so far. 

Sunday’s playoff promise was the most recent instance of Saleh turning a damaging right into a constructive. 

The most important second of the 2022 season, after all, got here when Saleh determined to bench Zach Wilson for Mike White simply earlier than Thanksgiving. It might have appeared like a straightforward resolution to make from the surface after Wilson’s horrible efficiency on the sector in New England and behind the microphone after the sport, however benching the No. 2-overall choose 20 video games into his profession is a monumental resolution for a head coach. 

Robert Saleh has dealt with all of the adversity this season has thrown at him and the Jets with aplomb.

Charles Wenzelberg / New York Put up

Saleh was sensible sufficient to acknowledge he needed to make the transfer for a crew that's ok to not simply make the playoffs, however win in them. He noticed that Wilson’s postgame feedback may trigger his crew to separate on the seams. He acted rapidly and decisively and managed to not embarrass Wilson within the course of regardless of busting him right down to the third crew and inactive standing. 

Individuals contained in the Jets have been blown away with how Saleh dealt with what may have been per week that noticed the prepare come off the tracks. If the Jets do make the playoffs, Saleh’s resolution to make White the starter might be seen because the definitive second of the season. 

However it's not the one time that Saleh pressed the appropriate buttons. Return to Week 1 after the Jets misplaced to the Ravens and it felt like we have been watching the Similar Outdated Jets discovering a strategy to lose. Saleh introduced he was “conserving receipts” the subsequent day, once more telling his gamers he believed in them regardless that critics pounced and mocked him. The Jets pulled out a miracle win in Cleveland days later. 

When Elijah Moore requested a commerce, Saleh didn't blink. He benched Moore for per week, cherished him up within the media after which step by step acquired him again concerned within the offense. Moore is now smiling and producing once more for the Jets. 

Saleh’s regular hand has gotten the Jets to 7-6. Now, he must information them house over these closing 4 video games. 

“The encouraging factor is we will go toe-to-toe with anybody,” Saleh stated Monday. 

The Jets proved that once more Sunday within the loss to the Payments, who maintain the No. 1 seed within the AFC. The Jets have misplaced to 2 10-win groups within the final two weeks, however performed each the Vikings and the Payments robust and neither sport was over till the ultimate seconds. 

The Jets enter this week on the surface of the playoff race after their loss and the Chargers’ and Patriots’ wins. However that is removed from determined. The Jets face the Lions, Jaguars, Seahawks and Dolphins with their playoff hopes hanging within the stability.

“What’s cool about that is we've 4 playoff video games as a result of each crew we’re taking part in is combating for a playoff spot, even Jacksonville is on the lookout for some assist,” Saleh stated. “So each sport goes to have main playoff implications. That is an superior expertise for our group and it simply makes issues extra rewarding, particularly if you may get it carried out. “ 

Saleh believes they will and it's exhausting to wager in opposition to him contemplating what he’s carried out this season.