Recently fired Jets coach Robert Saleh is flirting with NFC contender

Feeling nostalgic for his former role as an NFL coach, Robert Saleh was seen attending the Green Bay Packers practice Wednesday afternoon.

The New York Jets fired Robert Saleh last week after a disappointing start to the season. The return of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers failed to spark the team, which limped to a 2-3 record this year during Saleh’s short tenure. However, the move was prompted by Jets owner Woody Johnson’s decision to pursue change and break the team’s long postseason drought, which he said could be more easily accomplished without Saleh’s leadership.

However, his departure leaves a significant hole in the Jets’ coaching staff. Under Saleh, the Jets defense was one of the top five but has struggled to maintain that consistency since his departure, giving up 60 points in the last two games since his firing. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, now serving as interim head coach, faces the daunting task of turning around a promising but struggling defense. With key players like Sauce Gardner and Haason Reddick recently ending his lead, the Jets defense is poised to regain its mojo. However, it will remain under intensive supervision until then.

Saleh’s presence at the Packers practice has fueled speculation that his return to the NFL is imminent. His longstanding relationship with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, dating back to their coaching beginnings at Central Michigan in 2004 and later with the Houston Texans, indicates that Saleh’s visit could be more than a chance meeting. Saleh is widely regarded as a top defensive player, which makes this appearance all the more intriguing.

Saleh could provide valuable insight into Green Bay’s impressive defense under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley. While there’s no official word on whether Saleh will take on a formal role with the Packers, his presence hints at possible consulting opportunities.

For Jets fans, Saleh’s sighting at Packers practice is an example of the team’s troubled times. Woody Johnson emphasized in a statement following Saleh’s dismissal that the team needed a new direction, but the full impact of this decision is still up in the air. As the Jets prepare for a pivotal matchup against the New England Patriots, their ability to regroup and adapt amid these coaching changes will be closely watched.