Tag: Jeff Ulbrich

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich ‘obviously disappointed’ by James Pearce Jr.’s arrest

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said it’s too early to determine James Pearce Jr.’s availability to the team after the edge rusher was arrested Saturday on five felony charges in Florida.

The Falcons have a voluntary offseason program beginning in April. Ulbrich said at a previously scheduled news conference on Wednesday that he could not say if the Falcons need to prepare for Pearce’s possible absence.

“It’s still so early,” Ulbrich said. “We’re still not there yet either way.”

Ulbrich, whose first season in Atlanta coincided with Pearce’s rookie year in 2025, said he was “obviously disappointed” by the news of the arrest.

The Falcons had released a statement on Saturday night.

“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr., in Miami,” the Falcons stated. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”

New head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Wednesday that there’s “really nothing to add.”

“Our coaches will defer to the statement that was put out, so respectfully, I understand there’s questions, but we don’t have much to add there,” Stefanski said.

Pearce allegedly struck a police officer with his vehicle while evading arrest and crashed into a vehicle driven by ex-girlfriend and WNBA player Rickea Jackson, ESPN reported on Monday.

Per the criminal complaint obtained by ESPN from the Miami-Dade County state attorney’s office, the charges against Pearce include aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer.

Pearce, 22, spent most of Saturday night and Sunday in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, then was released Sunday night after posting a $20,500 bond.

Jackson, a forward with the Los Angeles Sparks, told police she had recently ended a relationship with Pearce after about three years. Both Jackson and Pearce attended Tennessee.

Atlanta traded its 2026 first-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the 2025 No. 26 overall pick and selected Pearce. It was announced Thursday night at NFL Honors that he finished third in AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.

He finished the 2025 season with 10.5 sacks — the most by a rookie since Micah Parsons (13) for Dallas in 2021 — 10 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and five pass breakups.

–Field Level Media

Mar 2, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jets tab Todd Downing to call plays, demote Nathaniel Hackett

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator Todd Downing will call the offensive plays starting with Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday.

Downing replaces offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett in the play-calling role.

Ulbrich, in turn, announced that he will remain the team’s defensive coordinator and continue to call plays on defense.

Despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Jets rank 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring (18.6).

“This is more a byproduct of a different take on things,” Ulbrich said. “I’m not saying it’s a better or worse take on things by any means — just a different take on things, a fresh approach. Ultimately Todd will have the full say on the gameplan and ultimately the plays that are called within the game.”

Ulbrich said Thursday that Rodgers understood his decision. Rodgers and Hackett worked together with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-21 when the latter was the team’s offensive coordinator.

“It was obviously — not necessarily shocked, but we all are familiar with the relationship (Rodgers) has with Nathaniel. And they’re very, very good friends that go back a long way,” Ulbrich said. “He understood the decision and he was supportive of the decision. And I’m fortunate for that. So, I talked to him, I talked to a lot of offensive players — and defensive players for that matter — before making this decision.”

Ulbrich was named the interim coach on Tuesday, the same day the Jets fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start.

Ulbrich, 47, was hired by Saleh as the Jets’ defensive coordinator in January 2021. He was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after coaching their linebackers from 2015-19. He played linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers from 2000-09.

Under Ulbrich this season, the Jets rank second in total defense (255.8 yards per game allowed), fourth in sacks (18) and tied for fifth in scoring defense (17.0 ppg).

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; London, United Kingdom; New York Jets coach Robert Saleh reacts against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets fire head coach Robert Saleh

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after three-plus seasons, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday morning.

Per reports, defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the interim head coach for the Jets.

New York dropped to 2-3 this season with its 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in London. The Jets return to action on Monday against the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills (3-2) in East Rutherford, N.J.

The dismissal of Saleh marks the first time in owner Woody Johnson’s 25-year tenure that he has fired a coach during a season.

Despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the Jets rank 27th in total offense (286.6 yards per game) and 25th in scoring (18.6).

Saleh, 45, compiled a 20-36 record with no playoff appearances in 56 games since taking over the Jets in 2021. New York last made the playoffs in the 2010 season, losing in the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.

Saleh assumed the head coaching position of the Jets following four years as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20). He also had coaching stints in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars (linebackers, 2014-16), Seattle Seahawks (defensive quality control, 2011-13) and Houston Texans (various roles, 2005-10).

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker coach Jeff Ulbrich answers questions during a press conference at Westin Houston Memorial City Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Jets tab Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets named Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator on Thursday, the same day new head coach Robert Saleh held his introductory press conference.

Ulbrich, 43, worked with Saleh in 2011 while with the Seattle Seahawks. Ulbrich began last season as the Atlanta Falcons’ assistant head coach and linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator after Raheem Morris was elevated to interim head coach.

After two seasons with the Seahawks (2010-11), Ulbrich coached the linebackers and special teams at UCLA from 2012-14 before joining the Falcons’ staff in 2015.

A third-round draft pick in 2000, Ulbrich played 10 seasons at linebacker in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers (2000-09) and registered 501 tackles, 5.5 sacks and two interceptions in 120 games.

The Jets also announced five other additions to their defensive coaching staff. Aaron Whitecotton was named New York’s defensive line coach, Nate Ollie was tabbed as an assistant defensive line coach and Chip Vaughn, Ricky Manning Jr. and Hayes Pullard as defensive assistants.

Saleh replaced Adam Gase, who was fired hours after a loss to the New England Patriots in Week 17. The setback concluded Gase’s two seasons in which the team went 9-23, including 2-14 in 2020.

The Jets, who lost a franchise-record 13 consecutive games to open the 2020 season, have gone five years without a winning record. They last made the playoffs in 2010.

New York simply wasn’t competitive under Gase, as 15 of the team’s 23 losses on his watch were by double digits. This season, the Jets were outscored by 214 points.

–Field Level Media