Once considered a head coach candidate for the Lions, Michigan native Robert Saleh has reportedly been fired by the New York Jets.
According to several sources, the New York Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh just five weeks into the team’s 2024 season. Hired in 2021, Saleh’s record over his Jets reign was just 20-36. This year, the Jets are off to a slow 2-3 start. While that’s not exactly a disaster, many expected the Jets to be Super Bowl contenders, and they have looked anything but—even with a healthy Aaron Rodgers.
Saleh was one of the most popular candidates for the Detroit Lions head coaching vacancy in 2021. A Dearborn native, Saleh headed the San Francisco 49ers defense for several years, and given the Lions’ struggles defensively, he was a logically sound candidate. However, it seemed interest waned in him a bit from Detroit’s side, as conflicting reports emerged about how his interview with the Lions went.
Of course, the Lions ended up going with Dan Campbell, who has amassed an even 27-27-1 record in Detroit, despite starting 4-19-1 through his first 24 games. He’s delivered the team’s first division title in 30 years, and two playoff wins—double the amount the franchise had had in the previous 60 years.
The 2021 NFL head coaching cycle now includes just two coaches standing: Campbell and the Eagles’ Nick Sirianni.
The following coaches hired in that cycle have already been fired:
- Jets’ Robert Saleh
- Texans’ David Culley
- Jaguars’ Urban Meyer
- Chargers’ Brandon Staley
- Falcons’ Arthur Smith
With Sirianni’s Eagles struggling this season, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if Campbell is the last one standing before the beginning of next season.
