Numbers show how Jets got worse after Robert Saleh, Jeff Ulbrich moves 

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh and promoted defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich to the role of interim head coach shortly after the club fell to 2-3 on the season. The Jets are now a 3-7 team that may have to run the table to make the playoffs.  

For a piece published on Tuesday, ESPN's Rich Cimini detailed how Johnson's decision backfired amid what was a promising season for the organization when the Jets held a 2-1 record on the morning of Sept. 29. 

"Perhaps the most alarming thing is how the Jets have lost their identity," Cimini explained. "For two-plus seasons, they were one of the better defensive teams in the league. Not anymore. Under Ulbrich, who doubles as the defensive coordinator, they're allowing 26 points and 349 yards per game, compared to 17 points and 256 yards in the first five games."

Part of Johnson's attempt to fix what was ailing the Jets back in October involved quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Todd Downing replacing offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as New York's offensive play-caller. 

Later in October, the Jets landed star wide receiver Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders. Neither of those moves helped 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers find the form that made him the league's Most Valuable Player as recently as February 2022. 

"There has been a slight bump in the rushing and passing production, but the scoring has dipped (from 19 to 17 points per game) and their situational efficiency (third down and red zone) has plummeted," Cimini said about how the Jets offense has performed since Week 6. "Under Downing, their red zone rate is only 44%, down from 62% under Hackett."

Perhaps most worrisome as it pertains just to the rest of this season, Rodgers sounded like a past-his-prime quarterback who had no answers regarding how to turn things around when he spoke with reporters following this past Sunday's 31-6 loss at the Arizona Cardinals. 

Assuming Johnson parts ways with general manager Joe Douglas in January, acquiring Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2023 could go down as one of the worst moves in Jets history. 

For now, Rodgers and Co. will simply look to earn a win when Gang Green hosts the 4-6 Indianapolis Colts this coming Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Jets as four-point favorites for that matchup.