Is NY Jets HC Robert Saleh really on the hot seat?
Saying the New York Jets have high expectations this season is an understatement. Aaron Rodgers has replaced Zach Wilson at quarterback and the Super Bowl predictions are already being made. But what happens if the Jets fail to reach expectations this year?
Speaking on the Straight Line podcast, former second-overall pick Ryan Leaf gave his thoughts on the Jets, specifically the future of head coach Robert Saleh.
“For as good as it feels like you’ve built things back with Joe Douglas, there is something we haven’t necessarily talked about to Robert Saleh,” said the former second overall pick from the 1998 NFL Draft. “You may be coaching for your job this year, because you have everything now – like everything. No playoff appearances yet in your tenure.”
Expectation hits harder when you’ve had all your wishes you asked for granted. It’s put up or shut up time. J-E-T-S. @StraightLinePod @PointsBetUSA pic.twitter.com/GUB7EHcxHl
— Ryan D Leaf (@RyanDLeaf) June 1, 2023
Leaf continued, “There’s everything that Joe Douglas has laid at your feet. The draft from last year, Aaron Rodgers this year. So I don’t know if this is talked about enough. Robert Saleh seriously could be coaching for his job this year. Especially if they don’t make the playoffs. If that’s three consecutive years – that’s a real conversation you have to have.”
While I also believe that Saleh (and Douglas) could be on the hot seat if the Jets aren’t able to perform to expectations, I think Leaf is vastly overselling Douglas’ contributions to the team’s build. In fact, one could argue that it is Douglas’ fault that the team is in such desperate need of a quarterback.
After all, it was Douglas (and former OC Mike LaFleur) that were enamored with Zach Wilson, enough so that the Jets selected him second overall in the 2021 draft. Wilson repaid that draft capital by having the worst EPA among all eligible quarterbacks over the last two seasons; leading LaFleur and Douglas to concede that the team didn’t handle the development of the BYU prospect properly.
So if Robert Saleh finds himself on the hot seat after this season, don’t be surprised if you see Joe Douglas join him.
