Robert Saleh spent four seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets before he was fired in the middle of the 2024 season. Now, as he prepares for his second stint as a head coach in the league, he’ll be facing off against his former team to open the season.
It would be an understandably emotional time for Saleh, considering the way things ended in New York, and it would make sense for him to want to prove them wrong in a lot of ways. But heading into that game, Saleh is saying all the right things.
Saleh was fired by the Jets
It’s safe to say that things did not go the way Saleh and the Jets had planned throughout his tenure in New York.
In 2023, the team brought in future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and had legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. However, that season was derailed when Rodgers ruptured his Achilles on the first offensive series of the season. That year, the team finished just 7-10 as they struggled to score points despite a strong defense.
The following season, Rodgers returned, but the success did not come immediately. The team opened the season with a 2-3 record, but the wins came against the ailing Patriots and Titans. Then, after a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Saleh was fired on Oct. 8.
Saleh then served as an offensive consultant for the Green Bay Packers before taking the job as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers ahead of the 2025 season. Now, he’s the head coach of the Titans.
‘I don’t hold grudges’
Now in his second stint as a head coach in the NFL, his first game with his new team will be against the Jets. And even though it could be a bit awkward, Saleh had a classy response to facing his former team.
“New York is still a special place,” Saleh said via Pro Football Talk. “Gave me my first opportunity as a head coach. Our desire to win Week 1 and beat the Jets is because it’s Week 1 and nothing more. I am forever grateful for all the opportunity that they gave. I don’t hold grudges.”
We’ll have to see how Saleh fares in his second stint as a head coach.
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