Former Jets HC Robert Saleh - Mike Stobe/Getty Images
With the New York Jets just firing head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday, Oct. 8, many NFL teams could use his knowledge and experience to help their teams now and in the future.
The 45-year-old is spending time with his family while still on the Jets payroll and will seek employment in the 2025 offseason.
Saleh helped the Jets become one of the premier defenses in the league, and he should have no problem finding a new team to do the same.
Which Teams will Saleh Land On Next?
1. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are (1-4) now and are out of people to blame for it.
How about the fact that the Browns organization gave up on Baker Mayfield and traded three first-round picks to acquire an overpaid, out-of-touch Deshaun Watson?
Then, they signed the QB to a ridiculous guarantee contract worth $230 million, for which the organization is now paying the price.
Luckily, the Browns are in a situation where they can pull a Denver Broncos move after the season by buying out the contract and paying the guaranteed money to get the guy off their backs.
And here’s where Saleh comes in.
He can help rebuild a defense that has been woefully underachieving under DC Jim Schwartz.
Also, he can help develop a young rookie quarterback in the 2025 draft class or be confident that Jameis Winston can run the offense while playing stout defense.
Saleh would fit well with the white-collar fans in the “Dawg Pound” as either the Browns’ new head coach or DC.
This is only one of the teams Saleh could land on next.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
With the Eagles laying at an underwhelming (2-2) start after their bye week, one would think there wouldn’t be hot-seat talks about Nick Sirianni.
But in the Philadelphia market, bad media pub travels faster than their 33-16 loss to Tampa Bay two weeks ago.
This year, expectations were and still are very high for this team to reach the Super Bowl, but (2-2) wasn’t where they hoped to be four games into this season.
With a freight train starting five on the o-line, this was supposed to help protect quarterback Jalen Hurts and be a running-the-ball machine with new starting running-back Saquan Barkley.
Saleh can come in and be their new defensive coordinator for Sirianni. Therefore, Vic Fangio isn’t bad, but he bounced around from team to team.
The former NY Jet boss would be younger and more of a fresh face to this young and talented defensive unit.
If Sirianni isn’t the scapegoat here, it has to be Vic Fangio. Right? After that, Philly may be Saleh’s potential team that he could land on next.
3. Dallas Cowboys
There is no question who is on the hot seat in Big D. To be honest, head coach Mike McCarthy has been on the hot seat for the last few years.
Despite boasting three straight (12-5) regular-season records, Dallas has yet to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs or win a Super Bowl.
While Saleh could be great on the defensive side of the ball, he could end up being an upgrade as head coach over McCarthy.
This way, he can decide whether to retain current DC Mike Zimmer or hire his own.
There are still three more teams after this that Saleh could land on next.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Could this be the end of Doug “Philly Special” Pederson in north Florida?
Look, we all know that famous play call in the Super Bowl played a significant role in the Eagles winning their first Super Bowl over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
However, what has he really done in Jacksonville?
He was lucky in his first year when he struck gold with the Jaguars, winning the AFC South with a (9-8) record under Trevor Lawrence.
But T-Law’s huge payday has been swimming underwater with the alligators and crocodiles in the Jacksonville rivers.
Keep in mind that it’s not Lawrence’s fault; unlike Watson, he earned that payday.
If the Jags go at least (8-9) or (9-8), it’s time to fire Pederson and bring in Saleh as head coach, who can help complement the offense with a tough, physical defense that flies around all over the field.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Gus Bradley’s job may be in jeopardy with the Colts as their defense has looked suspect.
They are not doing their part in helping out an offense that’s still working with Anthony Richardson to be their franchise quarterback.
The Colts lead the NFL in yards given up per game with 419.2, which is worse than the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 31st-place ranking of 25.8 yards per game.
Fortunately, if Shane Steichen hires Saleh in the offseason, he could immediately improve the defense.
He will have foundational pieces in players like Kwity Payne and Laiatu Latu on the d-line to work with, as any successful defense always starts up front.
If he goes here and turns their defense into a machine, he may have another shot at a head coaching gig in the 2026 season and have found his team to land on next.
6. Cincinnati Bengals
Head coach Zac Taylor isn’t going anywhere, but current defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo might not be so lucky.
This season, Cincinnati’s defense is only ranked 22nd in DVOA, only five weeks into 2024.
If this struggle bus continues, it may signal coach Taylor to make a change at play-caller on the defense.
Enter Saleh, who is an appropriate mixture of accountability and player trust, to come in and fix their troubled spots.
With all the talent Saleh still has, we will just have to wait and see what team he will land on next.
For another interesting Sports story, please check out:
Did QB Aaron Rodgers Have a Part in NY Jets’ HC Robert Saleh’s Firing?
