Vikings Coach Kevin O’Connell’s Blunt Reply to Robert Saleh’s Firing

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday morning, and Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was quick to share his thoughts.

Saleh was in his fourth NFL season with the Jets, but things hadn’t gone according to plan. Starting just 2-3 in 2024, New York has struggled mightily on offense. The team had playoff aspirations this year, especially after bringing in Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season.

Saleh’s first two years were part of a rebuild, finishing 4-13 and 7-10. By year three, it looked like the Jets were just a quarterback away, but Rodgers’ Achilles injury led to another disappointing 7-10 season.

Following the news of Saleh's firing on Tuesday, O'Connell starred as a guest on "The Pat McAfee Show."

O'Connell shared that NFL head coaches know what they signed up for. It's just the nature of the business. If you're not winning games like his 5-0 Vikings, you're likely not going to stick around very long.

"We all know what we signed up for," O'Connell said. "This is an incredibly competitive league. We know what the task is. Every single day you show up to work as a head coach in the National Football League, and it doesn't make it any easier. It doesn't make it any easier as a fellow coach to see news like that."

O'Connell also emphasized he's thinking of Saleh on this tough day for him and his family. He believes it isn't easy now, but he knows he'll be back on the sidelines soon.

"We know what we signed up for," O'Connell added. "Days like this are when you think about the person, the family. I think Robert Saleh is a great football coach. There's a reason why he's had the success that he's had in this league before this job and he'll have success again after this job. I do know that. I think very highly of Robert and the man, the person, and he'll get back up on his feet."

If the Jets want to turn this season around, they must start picking up wins quickly. However, they have two tough games coming up.

In Week 6, they face the Buffalo Bills on "Monday Night Football," and in Week 7, they head to Pittsburgh for a showdown with the Steelers on "Sunday Night Football."

Related: Robert Saleh Reportedly ‘Escorted’ Out By Team Security After Jets Firing