Fired New York Jets Coach Is Now Helping Aaron Rodgers’s Former Team

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh watches first-half action against the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sept. 29, 2024. Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Since being fired by the New York Jets on Oct. 8, Robert Saleh has kept a relatively low profile, with his only public comments being a statement thanking the Jets organization. But Saleh returned to an NFL facility this week, and even graced the practice field Wednesday, where he watched an offense go through drills.

No, the Jets didn’t welcome him back after the team dropped back-to-back games since parting ways with him, but rather the longtime employer of Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the team that invited Saleh to practice. He was on the Green Bay Packers’ practice field, serving in an unnamed role under Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur, as the two have a decades-long friendship.

Saleh, who coached only on the defensive side of the ball for 19 years prior to becoming New York’s head coach, was enlisted to help provide a different perspective to LaFleur, the offensive play caller for the Packers. The Green Bay coach discussed why he brought in his longtime friend and what his role is.

“I thought it was a good idea to bring him here. He’s helping us on the offensive side of the ball,” LaFleur said. “I think that’s always a good deal to have that defensive perspective on that side of the ball, so just taking a look at some of the things we’re doing.”

LaFleur also noted that Saleh’s role is “pretty fluid” and that he would just be with the Packers through Thursday’s practice. He also revealed that Saleh is staying with LaFleur and his wife at their home, just as newly acquired Jets receiver Davante Adams has been staying with longtime Packers teammate Rodgers at his home since the trade.

“Certainly, [Saleh] can find holes or vulnerabilities in the defense that we’re playing. So that’s how we’re going to use him,” LaFleur stated.

The relationship between LaFleur and Saleh goes back decades as the two were born in the same year, both grew up in Michigan, and first coached together in 2004 at Central Michigan, where they were roommates. After each moved on to other jobs, they reunited again in 2008 on the Houston Texans staff, and LaFleur served as best man in Saleh’s wedding.

Their friendship has even roped in other family members. When Saleh became the Jets head coach in 2021, he hired Matt’s younger brother, Mike LaFleur, as the team’s offensive coordinator, a role he held for two years.

Given the bond between the two, they spoke shortly after Saleh was canned by the Jets. LaFleur admitted that he tried to persuade his friend to enjoy time away at a beach somewhere, but also let him know that an opportunity to assist Green Bay would be present if he wanted it.

“I didn’t try to put any pressure on him whatsoever,” LaFleur continued. “I just said, ‘Hey, if you wanna stay involved, the opportunity would be here, if you wanted it.’ I just think it speaks to how much he loves the game of football. Obviously, it’s tough when it gets taken away from you.”

It’s ironic that the team that Saleh ends up helping is the same one Rodgers played for during the first 18 years of his pro career. Many think that Rodgers’s influence within the Jets organization played a role in Saleh’s firing, a notion that the four-time MVP denies.

Even before Saleh was brought in, the Packers offense seemed to be doing just fine. It ranks in the top 10 in points scored, yards gained, rushing offense and passing offense, despite playing two games without Rodgers’s replacement, Jordan Love. LaFleur made sure to point out that Saleh’s role is strictly with the offense, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s position is safe, and there is a tie between Hafley and Saleh.

When the latter became the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2017, he retained Hafley, who was then the Niners’ defensive backs coach, on his own staff. Hafley would work two seasons under Saleh before heading to the college football coaching ranks.

There is precedent for a respected defensive mind to help out a team, or even another coach, in a “fluid” role. After Bill Belichick didn’t nab any head coaching jobs this season, he helped out his son—Stephen Belichick, who is the defensive coordinator at the University of Washington—in an unnamed role in which he attended practices and meetings. On his role, Belichick said, “I’m just here to watch,” but did offer his opinion whenever his son or Washington head coach Jedd Fisch asked for input.

Rodgers is sure to be asked at some point about his opinion on Saleh helping out his former team. In the meantime, LaFleur offered his thoughts on his friend being fired by the New York Jets two weeks ago.

“I don’t think it was the right decision, but that’s not for me to say,” LaFleur stated.