Jets' Sauce Gardner had relatable way of finding out about Robert Saleh's firing

New York Jets cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner revealed on Thursday that he was " shocked " when news broke this week that Robert Saleh had been fired as the team's head coach, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.

The two-time Pro Bowler added that the team is still playing for the now-former coach in spirit, despite his departure.

Gardner also explained that he recently deleted his social media accounts from his phone, which led to an unusual way of discovering Saleh's removal from the organization.

Gardner found out what his agent texted him, "What do you think about the Jets news?" according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Gardner then googled "Jets" and read the news.

Saleh, a 45-year-old Michigan native, took over in New York ahead of the 2021 campaign. Despite fielding the fourth-ranked defense in 2022, the 12th-ranked unit in 2023 and fifth-best group thus far in 2024, he couldn't get Gang Green to .500 in any of his three-plus seasons.

With the franchise hoping to end its record 13-year playoff drought, expectations were high coming into the fall with an elite defense and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers ready for a healthy season. Instead, after a 4-13 finish in 2021 and back-to-back 7-10 marks in 2022 and 2023, the Jets (2-3) have had a rollercoaster fall.

After a Week 1 setback against the San Francisco 49ers, New York won two straight over the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots in Weeks 2 and 3, scoring 24 points in eac contest. The Jets then had a sloppy 10-9 home defeat vs. the Denver Broncos in Week 4 and fell 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 in London.

Saleh left the team with a 20-36 career record, but could well receive interest for another defensive coordinator gig down the road if he chooses to return to the NFL.

Gardner was drafted fourth overall in 2022 by Saleh and Co., so the latter is the only head coach that the former AP Defensive Rookie of the Year has played for since turning pro.

Saleh served as the 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017-2020. San Francisco had the eighth-ranked defense in 2019, when they advanced to Super Bowl LIV and fell to the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-20.