Super Bowl MVP discusses if firing of Robert Saleh made Jets defense worse

It was reported earlier this week that some New York Jets players feared that the firing of head coach Robert Saleh when the club was 2-3 "would stretch the staff thin and hurt a defense that was the strength of the team" with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich serving as New York's interim head coach. 

During a Wednesday appearance on New York sports radio station WFAN, one-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and current analyst Phil Simms made it known he doesn't buy that the dismissal of Saleh had anything to do with the Jets surrendering two fourth-quarter scoring drives against backup New England Patriots quarterback Jacoby Brissett in this past Sunday's 25-22 loss that dropped Gang Green to 2-6. 

"I can't imagine it really is affecting [Ulbrich] that much," Simms said about the Jets' current coaching setup, as shared by Lou DiPietro of Audacy. "...There’s a lot more to do as a head coach, but I still think there would be plenty of time left. And there's many coaches that he can get ready to have the defensive game plan, have it set and everything like that."

The Jets offense produced a go-ahead touchdown drive that gave the defense a 22-17 lead with 2:57 remaining in regulation of the New England contest. Arguably the biggest lowlight of Brissett's game-winning drive as it pertains to the Jets involved Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, who is often advertised as one of the league's best cornerbacks, getting beaten by 2023 sixth-round draft pick Kayshon Boutte for a long completion that put the New England offense at the New York 9-yard line. 

Gardner indicated after the defeat that he has to "be better" on such plays.

"It was there for them last week, big time," Simms added about the Jets' inability to close the Patriots out. "But when it counted on that last drive, they made mistakes and gave up plays they shouldn't have." 

Some were surprised to learn DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Jets as 1.5-point favorites for Thursday's home game against the 6-2 Houston Texans as of Wednesday afternoon. 

Simms noted that Houston's offense is "not what it was" when at its best last fall due to wide receivers Nico Collins and Stefon Diggs being sidelined because of injuries. 

The Texans still have more talent than the Patriots, on paper, and could make things difficult for a Jets defense that was far from elite over Ulbrich's first three games in charge.