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FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Under siege after one loss, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh fired back Monday at his team’s critics and vowed to hold them accountable when the time is right.
“I know it’s going to happen,” Saleh said of a reversal, “and we’re taking all the receipts on all the people who keep scoffing and saying we’re not going to do anything. I’m taking receipts and I’m going to be more than happy to share them with you all when all is said and done.”
It was unusually strong talk from Saleh, whose offense played poorly Sunday in a 24-9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. He admitted the challenge of revitalizing the Jets is “exhausting” but expressed confidence in his ability to do so despite 14 losses in his first 18 games.
Saleh will be without starting quarterback Zach Wilson (knee) for at least two more games. Wilson will begin throwing to receivers this week in light individual drills, but he’s still not ready for full practice.
On Sunday, fans chanted for popular third-stringer Mike White, but the Jets are expected to stick with Joe Flacco, whose lack of mobility was a factor in the loss. He was sacked three times and hit 11 times behind a leaky offensive line. Saleh opened the door a little, though, adding, “I don’t want to promise you anything, but right now Joe is our starting quarterback” for Sunday’s road game against the Cleveland Browns (1-0).
“It’s more likely Joe, but the door is open for every position every week,” Saleh said, perhaps shortening Flacco’s leash.
Nothing much has gone right for the Jets in recent weeks. They lost Wilson in the preseason, lost two starting tackles (Mekhi Becton and Duane Brown) to injuries and played sloppy football against the Ravens, angering the fan base.
The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in 11 years and haven’t had a winning season since 2015.
“It’s exhausting,” Saleh said. “It’s exhausting for the coaches. It’s exhausting for ownership. It’s exhausting for you guys to keep writing about losers. It’s exhausting for the fans. It’s exhausting for everybody and nobody wants to lose.”
Saleh said the goal is to “accelerate the process and win right away,” and he put the onus on the coaches. At the same time, he noted that the roster is full of young players in key positions. He said they need to “grow fast”. The Jets have rebuilt under fourth-year general manager Joe Douglas, with little to show for it.
“There’s nothing worse than being sold a bill of lading about the future,” said Saleh, who said he believes he has a “cool” roster with enough talent to win. “Everybody wants stuff now. It’s like the age of instant coffee.”
There were bright spots for the defense, which limited the run-heavy Ravens to 63 rushing yards. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams said they have “the skills and the scheme to be a dominant defense in this NFL.”
The offense was a different story as it was plagued by four dropped passes, two turnovers and blown scoring opportunities. Flacco passed for 307 yards, but it took 59 attempts — the most by a Jets quarterback in 11 years. MetLife Stadium was packed after having White, who was 1-1 last season in two complete starts.
“There’s a reason he’s called Cool Joe,” center Connor McGovern said of Flacco. “I don’t think Joe has ever let anything like that affect him.”
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