The New York Jets shockingly fired Robert Saleh this morning, according to ESPN. The Jets were 2-3 through five games, and Saleh had one more year on his contract.
While the Green Bay Packers staff is full, Saleh's strong connections on the team could make them a potential landing spot mid-season. Saleh is good friends with Matt LaFleur and has worked with Jeff Hafley in the past, according to The Packers Wire's Zach Kruse.
"Saleh was the best man at Matt LaFleur's wedding. He worked with Jeff Hafley in San Francisco. Saleh coming to Green Bay in some kind of consultant role is not out of the realm of possibility," Kruse wrote on X.
Hafley spent two seasons as the defensive backs coach on Saleh's defense for the San Francisco 49ers. The Jets hired Saleh as the head coach in 2021.
Since hiring Saleh, the Jets defense ranks 1st in points per drive, 1st in expected points added per play, and 3rd in success rate, according to ESPN's Benjamin Solak.
The Jets and Packers have an odd connection. Obviously, Aaron Rodgers headlined a trade that sent him from the Packers to the Jets in 2023. Since then many former Packers coaches and players have joined the Jets. Nathaniel Hackett, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb all joined the Jets after Rodgers left the Packers.
Saleh joining the Packers would add another connection between the two franchises. The strong friendship with LaFleur and defensive pedigree could be enough to land Saleh in Green Bay. The Packers might not be the only team looking to Brig Saleh in. He could be a highly touted name as a defensive coordinator next offseason.
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