Robert Saleh has tense exchange with reporter after Jets’ loss to Browns

The Jets are almost out of their misery.

The team was embarrassed on yet another national stage in Week 17 when they shared the spotlight with the Cleveland Browns, who stomped them out, 37-20, in Ohio behind the four touchdown passes from former Jet Joe Flacco.

For good measure, Jets head coach Robert Saleh shared an awkward postgame exchange with ESPN Jets beat reporter Rich Cimini, who questioned Saleh about his emotional state … or lack thereof.

“Maybe you’re not conveying what you really feel inside but you don’t seem particularly angry or upset about it,” Cimini said as Saleh stood at the podium. “I’m wondering if you could just share what’s really churning inside of you now.”

Saleh stammered: “Uh … I’m not quite sure on the question, Rich.”

Saleh continued: “Do you want me to throw the podium on the floor?”

And that was basically the end of the exchange.

The Jets were on the receiving end of a lopsided loss to the Browns at the hands of Flacco, who threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns against his former team, which he played for from 2020-22.

Trevor Siemian started Thursday for the Jets, and while he threw for 261 yards and one touchdown, he also tossed a pick-six in the first quarter that gave the Browns a 20-7 lead.

Saleh has coached the Jets since 2021 and is 17-33 as the Jets’ head coach heading into the Week 18 finale against the Patriots in Foxborough, Mass.

The Jets finished in last place in the AFC East in each of his first two seasons, and seem likely to finish in third place this year barring a Patriots upset of the Bills this weekend in Buffalo.