Mike LaFleur to leave New York Jets following difficult 2022 season

After struggling offensively for two seasons, New York Jets coach Robert Saleh announced Wednesday that the team would part ways with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

The Jets decided to change their offensive plans after their disappointing finish of the 2022 season. In their final three games of the season, the Jets failed to score a touchdown. In their 2022 season’s last game on Sunday, the Jets lost 6-11 to the Miami Dolphins. New York’s previous games — against the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars and Seattle Seahawks — all ended in losses.

The Jets had been criticized for its six-loss streak and how LaFleur handled quarterback Zach Wilson. LaFleur admitted that it had been a mistake having Wilson as a starter in his rookie season. This move resulted in the player sustaining a meniscus tear in 2022’s first preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

“In hindsight, it probably would have benefitted [him] just to sit back and learn a little bit and watch a veteran do it and just kind of grow in this league, kind of in the backseat watching and getting better in practice,” LaFleur said.

Regardless of his disappointing work with the Jets, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said several teams had shown interest in LaFleur. One of them is the Green Bay Packers, a team that is coached by LaFleur’s brother, Matt.

In the 2022 season, the Jets finished 25th in total yardage with 318.2 yards. Their 17.4 points average per game was also 29th in the league.

Replacements for LaFleur, Wilson

On Monday, Saleh said he was planning to hire a senior offensive assistant to help improve the Jets’ offense and help Wilson improve his plays. One of the rumored candidates is Gary Kubiak, a former coach of the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans.

The team is also looking for a quarterback to substitute for Wilson as he recovers. Some names rumored to be eyed by the Jets include Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo of the San Francisco 49ers.