Jets players defend Robert Saleh amid job security rumors

New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas spoke with reporters on Monday amid rumors that owner Woody Johnson could fire head coach Robert Saleh shortly after this disappointing season concludes. 

"I feel like we have the utmost respect for our coaches," Mosley explained, as shared by Al Iannazzone of Newsday. "We believe every single day that they try to put us in the right positions. They have to trust us to go out there and try to execute and do the right things on the field. … Before we can start asking questions about upstairs or for us down the hall, we got to make sure that we’re doing the right things when we watch the tape and look at what we’re trying to do." 

Wide receiver Allen Lazard and cornerback D.J. Reed mentioned that New York was "out-schemed" and out-fought in Sunday's 30-0 loss at the Miami Dolphins that ensured Gang Green would extend its playoff drought to 13 consecutive seasons. While Saleh acknowledged on Monday that "we didn't coach it well enough" regarding Sunday's blowout, Mosley insisted he still believes "in all my coaches" ahead of Christmas. 

"We have coach Saleh’s back, and he has ours," Thomas added. "We’re going to play the last three games as strong as we can, finish the season as strong as we can." 

Saleh has gone 16-32 as head coach of the Jets since the start of the 2021 campaign. It's thought by some that not even quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning for another season after the QB went down with a torn Achilles four snaps into his Jets debut guarantees Saleh will remain with the organization. 

How the 5-9 Jets respond to knowing their season ends after Week 18 during Sunday's home game against the 4-10 Washington Commanders could go a long way in determining how Johnson handles the club's head-coach situation in January. As of early Tuesday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Jets as three-point favorites against the Commanders.