Former Titans OC Todd Downing linked in story behind the Jets firing of head coach Robert Saleh

NASHVILLE - The New York Jets sent a shockwave through the NFL this week by firing head coach Robert Saleh after a loss in London to the Vikings and a 2-3 start to the season.

Saleh had the Jets at 7-10 in each of the last two seasons while his team always seemed to be a quarterback away. The season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers in the 2023 season opener was a good excuse for why the Jets never lived up to the hype in Saleh's third season.

But a underwhelming start to the fall was enough for owner Woody Johnson to make a change...What shame for Titans fans that Johnson made the change before Saleh made a change to his offensive coaching staff.

According to reports from Connor Hughes of SNY, Saleh was planning to demote offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and take way playcalling duties before he was let go. Saleh's plan was to turn playcalling over to....former Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing.

Downing joined the Jets staff as passing game coordinator after his failed tenure in Tennessee as offensive coordinator (2021-2022). Downing added quarterbacks coach to his title and responsibilities this season and has worked closely with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.

I, for one, am hoping that Downing still gets the opportunity to call plays. It seems like it's not out of the question moving forward.

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich (defensive coordinator) will have to take it under consideration and designate those responsibilities. Rodgers has endorsed a changing of the guard to Downing.

Titans fans may finally find out if Downing was the problem or if the roster in Tennessee held the offense back.

Related: What Titans signing of QB Trevor Siemian means for the health of Will Levis