Jets' Sauce Gardner had an understandable way of learning HC's dismissal

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 still plays for the now-former coach’s 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 finding out about Saleh’s removal from the organization.

Gardner discovered the message from his agent: “What do you think of 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 having the fourth-ranked defense in 2022, the 12th-ranked unit in 2023 and the fifth-best group so far in 2024, he failed to 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 heading into the fall, with an elite defense and four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers poised for a healthy season. Instead, after finishing 4-13 in 2021 and back-to-back 7-10 marks in 2022 and 2023, the Jets (2-3) suffered a rollercoaster fall.

After a Week 1 setback against the San Francisco 49ers, New York won back-to-back games over the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots in Weeks 2 and 3, scoring 24 points in each contest. The Jets then suffered a 10-9 home loss against 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 career record of 20-36, but could very well receive interest in another defensive coordinator position in the future if he decides to return to the NFL.

Gardner was drafted fourth overall in 2022 by Saleh and Co., so the latter is the only head coach 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 it advanced to Super Bowl LIV and fell to the Kansas City Chiefs 31-20.