NFL

Could Bill Belichick Replace Robert Saleh? Top 5 Candidates To Be The Jets’ Next Head Coach

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Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published2 hours ago on October 08, 2024

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Could Bill Belichick Replace Robert Saleh?

The New York Jets have parted ways with head coach Robert Saleh just five games into the 2024 NFL season. Who could the Jets hire to replace Saleh? 

Five games into Aaron Rodgers’ highly anticipated first healthy season with the New York Jets, the franchise has made a decision that feels as sudden as it does inevitable. Once credited with breathing life back into a struggling team, Robert Saleh has been relieved of his duties. It’s a move that leaves a gaping hole—a challenge for the next coach brave enough to take it on in the 2025 offseason.

The Jets had shown patience with Saleh, especially after enduring most of 2023 without Rodgers, who was sidelined by injury. But that patience ran out on Tuesday, five games into the 2024 season. Despite Rodgers’ return to health, the Jets have stumbled to a 2-3 start, and the front office decided it was time for a change.

Saleh leaves New York with a 20-36 record (.357), a tenure marked by moments of promise but ultimately defined by unmet expectations. The defensive-minded coach couldn’t overcome the team’s offensive struggles or lift the Jets into true contention, even with a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback at the helm. After two consecutive 7-10 seasons, the Jets now find themselves at a crossroads.

It’s a harsh reminder of the unforgiving nature of the NFL, where hope and hype aren’t enough to sustain a coach’s job. The question now: who will step in to right the ship? For the Jets, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Five Options To Replace Robert Salah

Brian Flores – Vikings Defensive Coordinator

Since his abrupt firing as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores has remained a figure many believe is destined for another opportunity. Flores had a better record in his last 38 games with the Dolphins than the often overinflated Mike McDaniel has had in his first 38 games with the Dolphins.

His current success as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings only strengthens the belief that his time will come again. Flores has built his reputation on toughness, discipline, and leadership—the very qualities that seem to resonate with a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. For a team like the Jets, with a defense already rich in talent, Flores could be the perfect fit.

His track record makes him more than just a potential candidate; he’s a proven leader who could offer stability to a franchise needing direction. Where other hires might feel like gambles, Flores represents a safer, more reliable option—a coach who has weathered the storm before and knows how to rebuild. His defensive mind would mesh well with the unit the Jets already have in place, and his ability to command respect in the locker room could be just what the team needs.

The question is not whether Flores will return to head coaching but when. While it’s uncertain if the Jets will be his next destination, the fit seems natural. New York is a team in transition, searching for identity and stability, and Flores could be the one to deliver that. His story in the NFL is far from finished, and it feels like only a matter of time before Flores is back on the sidelines, leading a team once again.

Aaron Glenn – Lions Defensive Coordinator

Aaron Glenn, once a standout cornerback for the New York Jets, has made a name for himself as a dynamic defensive coach, currently helping to ignite a young, hungry defense in Detroit. His rise as a leader on the sideline has caught the attention of many, and for good reason. Glenn’s defensive concepts have strengthened the Lions’ pass rush and coverage while bolstering their ability to stop the run—skills that would translate perfectly to the talent-laden Jets defense.

Beyond the X’s and O’s, Glenn brings something more—an infectious energy that players feed off. He knows how to connect, how to inspire, and how to bring out the best in those around him. For a team like the Jets that’s been missing a spark, Glenn could provide the jolt of enthusiasm and passion that not only rejuvenates the defense but the entire roster.

Returning to New York, the team where his career began, would be a full-circle moment for Glenn. His ability to relate to players, combined with his sharp defensive mind, makes him a compelling candidate for a team in search of leadership and identity. Glenn wouldn’t just maintain the strong defense already in place—he could elevate it, making New York a dangerous opponent on both sides of the ball. For a franchise looking to rediscover its edge, Glenn could be the perfect fit.

Ben Johnson – Lions Offensive Coordinator

At just 38 years old, Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, is one of the brightest young minds in the NFL. Ahead of the 2024 season, he was a finalist for head coaching positions with both the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders. But Detroit was fortunate—Johnson chose to return and continue elevating the Lions’ offense to new heights. His innovative play-calling and ability to maximize the talent around him have made the Lions’ offense one of the most dynamic units in the league.

It seems inevitable that Johnson’s name will be at the forefront of the next coaching cycle, and for good reason. As the NFL trends toward younger, offensive-minded head coaches, Johnson fits the mold perfectly. His ability to scheme around both the pass and run game and his knack for adjusting mid-game has set him apart from other rising coordinators.

Johnson could be the ideal fit for the New York Jets, who want to reshape their future and pair an innovative offensive coach with a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. His creativity and aggressive play-calling would breathe new life into a Jets offense that has often struggled to find consistency. Woody Johnson should have his eyes on Ben Johnson, knowing that his time as an NFL head coach is fast approaching. The Jets could benefit significantly from a coach ready to unlock their offensive potential, and Ben Johnson might be precisely the answer they’re looking for.

Mike Vrabel

When the Tennessee Titans made the difficult decision to part ways with Mike Vrabel, many assumed it wouldn’t be long before he found another head coaching role. After all, Vrabel had built something special in Tennessee—a culture grounded in discipline, toughness, and a relentless focus on winning. But as the 2024 NFL season approached, the unexpected happened: Vrabel remained on the sidelines, waiting for his next opportunity.

There’s no question that Vrabel left a lasting mark on the Titans. His time in Tennessee was defined by a commitment to excellence, guiding the team to three consecutive playoff appearances and posting a 54-45 record as head coach. He knows what it takes to win, to lead, and to get a franchise back on track—a skill set that the New York Jets could desperately use.

For a Jets organization looking to turn the page and return to its winning ways, Vrabel feels like a natural fit. His experience, leadership, and ability to create a culture of accountability would be invaluable to a team that has struggled to find its footing. Vrabel’s track record speaks for itself—he’s been there, and he’s done it before.

As the Jets eye their future, Vrabel represents more than just a coach—he’s a proven leader who knows how to build a team that can compete at the highest level. And with the right pieces in place, there’s no doubt he could do the same for New York.

Bill Belichick

It’s a bit surreal that after years of Jets fans claiming the Patriots’ success was more about Tom Brady than Bill Belichick, some are now calling on owner Woody Johnson to set aside any lingering resentment and reach out to the man who once briefly held the title of Jets head coach—for just one day. In 2000, Belichick famously resigned as Jets head coach the day after he was introduced, choosing instead to take the helm in New England. What followed was a dynasty, as Belichick became the winningest coach of the Super Bowl era.

Now, as Belichick’s legacy seems destined for a media path post-retirement—dabbling in ventures like the ManningCast and the “Let’s Go” podcast—there’s a question lingering in the minds of football faithful. Could he be content stepping away from the game, or would the opportunity to work with an elite defense and another all-time great quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, pull him back?

The idea of Belichick returning to the Jets feels almost impossible to imagine, yet so tantalizing to contemplate. For a man who thrives on challenge and legacy, guiding a well-built team like the Jets, aiming to rewrite their story and reach new heights, could be the kind of opportunity that reignites his competitive fire. It would add another chapter to his Hall of Fame career, a chance to stamp his name on yet another team’s history. The Jets defense would be ruthless with Belichick at the helm.

Whether or not it happens, the thought of Belichick in green and white is something Jets fans could only dream of.