When Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was a linebacker for the 49ers early in his career, he didn’t think he would get into coaching after his playing days were over. But after San Francisco drafted his replacement, Patrick Willis, who went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, Ulbrich’s perspective about coaching changed. “Later in my career, year seven or eight, wherever it was, we had drafted Patrick Willis and safe to say I didn’t beat him out. I became the backup, and in doing so, I spent a lot of time with them, and we watched a lot of tape together. “We’re playing the Cardinals and I’m on the sideline looking on at that point in my career. I was a special teamer and the supporter of Patrick Willis. I remember he makes a play in the Cardinals game and he snaps his eyes to me and I look at him and it was something we had worked on and focused on that particular week. I was like, that felt better than any play I’ve ever made for myself, you know, And it was like, I’m hooked.” Following the 2023 season, there was speculation that Ulbrich would be a candidate for a head coaching job. But the offseason came and went without Ulbrich getting a single interview. Now, Ulbrich is tasked with trying to turn around a Jets team that’s been playing below expectations to start the season. On Tuesday, Jets owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh after the team started the season 2-3 and registered a 26-40 record over three-plus seasons. Johnson then made Ulbrich the interim coach. The Jets entered the 2024 season with Super Bowl aspirations but have looked like anything but a championship-level team. The Jets’ main culprit is their offense, which has continued to struggle despite Aaron Rodgers’ return from a season-ending Achilles tear. The Jets rank 27th in yards (286.6) and 25th in points per game (18.6). That’s why Ulbrich stripped offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett from his play-calling duties and gave that responsibility to passing game coordinator Todd Downing for the rest of the season. “We have a process in place here,” Ulbrich said. “We’ve tried to improve it as much as we can in this particular week, and ultimately, we’re going to trust that process. “Earn the right on Sunday or Monday night for this particular case to play free and loose, and let it rip. Earn the right to celebrate this game with your brothers, and ultimately, as coaches, this is our opportunity to get out of your way and give you the keys to the car.” INJURY REPORT The Jets will be shorthanded in the secondary during Monday night’s game against the Bills. Nickel cornerback Michael Carter II will be out due to a back injury he suffered against the Vikings. Carter’s injury happened during pregame warmups, but he played one snap before exiting the game for good. With Carter out, Isaiah Oliver will likely start against the Bills during nickel formations. “He is the Swiss Army Knife,” Ulbrich said about Oliver. “He’s such a rare individual. M.C. gets hurt in pregame, not in, you know, not like when we’re in pajamas a couple of hours [before] … but we’re talking about like 15 minutes before the balls kicked off. That’s challenging and to prep a player that hasn’t had any reps and wasn’t ready to rock ‘n ‘ roll that particular position. “We go into locker room, I hand him the call sheet and he looks at it front and back and he’s like, ‘call it all.’ To have a player like that is just for a, from a coaching perspective, it just brings you so much security and he’s an invaluable piece toward what we’re trying to get accomplished here.” The good news for the Jets is that right tackle Morgan Moses is expected to play after missing the previous two games due to a knee injury he suffered in Week 3 against the Patriots. Moses’ absence has significantly affected the Jets’ offense in all phases. Rodgers was hit 25 times and sacked eight times in the back-to-back losses to the Broncos and Vikings. Linebacker C.J. Mosley is questionable to play against the Bills. Mosley injured his big toe in the victory against the Titans in Week 2 and hasn’t played since. But Ulbrich says they are “hopeful” Mosley can take the field. Tight end Tyler Conklin is also questionable due to a hip injury. He was limited during all three practices this week. Defensive tackle Leki Fotu is expected to be activated after not having an injury designation. Fotu (hamstring) has not played this season after being placed on injured reserve before Week 1.