Former Jets HC Robert Saleh lands first interview request as 5 NFL teams look to fill vacancies

Robert Saleh found himself unemployed when the New York Jets decided to fire him mid-season after a disappointing 2-3 record. Overall, he finished with a 20-36 record as the Jets' head coach, and owner Woody Johnson decided to pull the plug on him on Oct. 8, 2024.

Now that the season is effectively over for most teams, five of them, including the Jets, the New England Patriots, the Tennessee Titans, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Chicago Bears, are looking to fill head coach vacancies. Among them, the Jaguars have called on Saleh.

The Jaguars' official X (formerly, Twitter) account announced that the team has requested interviews from eight candidates, including Robert Saleh. As the offseason progresses, we'll come to know if Saleh will get to coach again or go another season without a job.

While Saleh struggled to spark the Jets' offense, even with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers on board, his prowess as a defensive mastermind was undeniable. Under his leadership, the Jets' defense consistently ranked high in various metrics.

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Woody Johnson not regretful of Robert Saleh decision

Woody Johnson and the Jet had hoped that by firing Saleh and appointing Jeff Ulbrich as the interim HC, they could stop the steady decline of the franchise. However, that turned out not to be the case and their fall only became sharper.

NFL: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets (Credits: IMAGN)

After the Jets' (5-12) season ended with a 32-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins, Johnson was asked if he regretted sacking Saleh in the middle of the season, when things only seemed to get worse after his dismissal.

"No, not at all," Johnson said. "I was very, very sure that I was making the right decision. I didn't do it to spark or anything like that. I didn't do it for that reason. I just knew everything that I needed to know about that situation."

However, he stood by his decision and said that he had considered all sides and facts before taking the crucial decision that set off the downward spiral. With this season's playoff miss, the team has now extended its playoff drought to 14 seasons, which is the longest active one among major American sports leagues anywhere.

Can Robert Saleh find a new home in Jaguars? With just two days since the end of the regular season, it's likely that many others would come calling for him.