Hours before cut-downs across the NFL, Jets HC Robert Saleh struck an introspective tone when addressing reporters Tuesday morning in Florham Park.
"Last year – I'll speak freely – probably got a little lot of whack," Saleh said.
When pressed, Saleh, who talked of a quieter environment and his team's businesslike approach earlier in training camp, reflected on a turbulent year.
"Last year there was a lot of chaos, right? Just trying to control things that were out of my control, and just making sure that I reconnect to focusing on the things that I got control over," Saleh said.
After acquiring Aaron Rodgers from the Packers in a trade that was finalized on April 26, 2023, the Jets entered the spotlight at an unprecedented level. After being featured on "Hard Knocks," the Green & White opened the season on a national stage against the Bills on Monday night, Sept. 11. But Rodgers went down with an Achilles tendon tear four players into his Jets' tenure, QB instability followed, and the team started 13 different OL combinations.
"To grow in the world, to grow as an individual, you got to live in uncomfortable environments," Saleh said. "And I would say last year was one of the more uncomfortable environments that you could create for an organization and because of it I think of players, coaches, everybody in this building are better for it and because of it. I think the team is better for it and better equipped. As coaches, I think we learned a lot from last year with regards to adjustments and the things that we need to do. I've said it before, not fully injury proof, but a little injury proof where we can adjust and move things on the fly a little bit better. But yeah, we're definitely all better for what happened last year."
After starting 4-3, the Jets dropped five consecutive games and fell out of playoff contention after Thanksgiving. While they expected a third-year leap under Saleh, the Jets finished 7-10 despite fielding one of the best defense and special teams pairings in the NFL.
"We put a lot into this offseason studying the things that we did a year ago," Saleh said. " So, we have a ton of confidence that if the bad stuff hits that fan that we'll be able to adjust and bob and weave, and make sure that we always put our players in position to be successful, which has been the main focus of this entire offseason."
The Jets want to put it all together in 2024 and field a team that can not only float like a butterfly but sting like a bee. With Rodgers playing behind a fortified offensive line and with explosive young playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall at his disposal, the Jets are confident that this year will be different. In his fourth season at the helm, Saleh has narrowed his focus. When asked about the upcoming campaign being a "now or never" year, he offered a pragmatic response.
"It could be Year 1, Year 10, Year 20, you're always hanging by a thread and all it takes is one bad year and you're shown the door," he said. "I don't look at it that way. You get so used to being in an environment where expectations are what they are, and so that's why it's just so, so important. And like I said, last year was a great reminder in that, stay focused in the moment, be where your feet are, and be a problem solver."
