The great mystery surrounding Robert Saleh should finally be solved

The numbers 18-33 are associated with Robert Saleh’s name.

These days, you rarely hear a mention of Saleh without those two numbers following shortly after. That, of course, is Saleh's record as head coach of the Jets.

That .353 winning percentage has understandably made people question whether Saleh is the right answer as coach of the Jets. As we enter the fourth year with Saleh at the helm, the question remains whether he is a good head coach.

But with all due respect, Bill Parcells, you are not what your record says you are.

Saleh's first three years were marked by some of the worst quarterback performances imaginable, and that has left its mark on everything about the Jets during his tenure. Zach Wilson, Mike White, Joe Flacco, Josh Johnson, Tim Boyle and Trevor Siemian have all played the position for Saleh. There were some outbursts of good quarterback performances from this group, but they were mostly performances that made Jets fans turn off their TVs.

That should change this season. Aaron Rodgers put in a performance at a joint practice with the Giants on Wednesday that confirmed his ability and his status as one of the best quarterbacks to ever throw a football.

“I think he’s the best quarterback I’ve ever seen,” said Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.

At least in the team photo he is one of the best who ever played.

Rodgers dismantled a Giants secondary that couldn't compare to the Legion of Boom, but his precision was still impressive. He and Garrett Wilson scored touchdowns of 65 and 55 yards. The 55-yard throw was thrown off Rodgers' back foot and looked like a cruise missile falling into Wilson's hands. The throw left the Jets players and coaches on the sideline staring at each other with their mouths open.

It was another tantalizing glimpse of what could be possible for the Jets offense and for Saleh this season.

Under Saleh, the Jets built a top-five defense and one of the best special teams in the league. But the offense was consistently a flop. In his three years, the offense averaged 28, 29, and 29 points per game.

Rodgers should inspire everyone around him to be their best, and that includes Saleh.

The offense was abysmal during Saleh's three years. The Jets averaged 17.1 points per game, the worst in the NFL during that time. If the Jets had scored just 21 points in their games, they would have won nine more.

Instead, there were a number of games in which the Jets treated the end zone as if it were a toxic waste dump to be avoided.

Look at where the quarterbacks the Jets used last year stand: Wilson is battling for the Broncos' backup job, Boyle is a camp arm for the Texans who won't make the team, and Siemian is no longer in the NFL.

Still, the Jets won seven games with these quarterbacks last season, a testament to how strong other aspects of the team were.

Saleh knows this is his last chance to prove he is the head coach the Jets thought they were getting when they hired him in 2021. Rodgers holds the head coaching future in his right hand. The Jets and Saleh know all too well how things can change after only having Rodgers for four games last season, but right now there is confidence among the Jets that they are a good team and ready for a big season.

Much of this optimism begins with No. 8.

“I tell you [Rodgers’] “His arm is 30,” Saleh said before practice on Wednesday. “You see him every day, his arm is still 30 and he's very mobile. He showed that in Carolina when he came out of the pocket several times, he does that in practice. I think he's absolutely ready.”

This also applies to the Jets. The offense against the Giants looked strong, even though only Rodgers was there. The newly formed offensive line held up against the Giants' tough front line. Garrett Wilson seemed to be the best player on the field who is not named Rodgers. Allen Lazard and Breece Hall made good plays.

All of this should make Saleh smile. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, Saleh has a chance this season to prove he is not what his record suggests.