Robert Saleh has hope that the New York Jets defense will 'be pretty damn good'

This defense could be scary good for the New York Jets. And that outlook is from none other than Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh, set for his fourth season with the Jets, is not given to hyperbole. So that makes his comments – and optimism – especially notable.

Last year, despite an offense that was among the worst in franchise history, the defense was very strong for the Jets. They finished second in the NFL in total defense and fourth in scoring defense.

And with so many pieces from the two-deep returning, plus an offense that should be improved and help with field position, there is plenty of reason to believe that the defense can be the best in the NFL.

Saying he’s “always excited” about the potential of the Jets defense, Saleh (out-of-character for him) upped the buzz a notch or two.

“What excites me most about our defense is how well they communicate, and how important it is to all of them to be their best in that particular moment,” Saleh told reporters on Tuesday.

“What we’re capable of, expectations, all that is for outside discussion, but inside and the way we go about our process on defense is special and because of that it gives me hope we’ll be pretty damn good.”

Last year, the Jets allowed 20.9 points per game, a respectable number given how they consistently were given short fields by their offense.