Robert Saleh's Top NFL Landing Spots in 2025 After Being Fired by Jets

Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh became unemployed as of Tuesday, but it's only a matter of time before he's back in an NFL coaching job.

The Jets fired the 45-year-old two days after a a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings dropped them to 2-3 on the season. In his three-plus seasons, New York compiled a 20-36 record and failed to reach the NFL playoffs.

There were some positives from Saleh's tenure, though, namely an elite defense. In terms of how prospective employers evaluate him, he's unlikely to get all of the blame for the franchise's current predicament, either, given all of the drama that has followed Aaron Rodgers' arrival in 2023.

Him taking another job this season seems unlikely because he'll want time to survey the full landscape and adjust to whatever new role he accepts. But he should be in high demand once the coaching carousel is in full swing.

Saleh was the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator for four seasons before leaving for New York, and the Niners have a defense that's not exactly excelling with Nick Sorensen leading the unit.

A reunion with Saleh makes obvious sense.

Of course, a lot can change between now and the end of the year.

Sorensen, who had been an assistant on the staff for two years before replacing Steve Wilks, might just be experiencing some growing pains in his first coordinator role. Assuming they qualify, everything may start to click for the Niners defense by the time the postseason is here.

If not, hiring Saleh might be an opportunity too good to pass up even if it means having a fourth different defensive coordinator in as many seasons.

The Philadelphia Eagles were linked with Vic Fangio well before hiring him ahead of this season. Firing him after just one year would be a bit of a surprise.

At the same time, Nick Sirianni could plausibly get kicked to the curb if the Eagles don't find more consistency. His exit would mean a potential reshuffle for the entire coaching staff.

It's not like the Philly defense is playing all that well under Fangio, either. The team is allowing 365.8 yards and 24.0 points per game, which are similar to last year's numbers.

Were the Eagles to cut ties with Sirianni, Saleh would work on two fronts. He possesses a great defensive mind and would make an immediate impact in that regard. In addition, his time with the Jets could help bridge the experience gap should Philly hire a first-time head coach.

Speaking of embattled head coaches with bad defenses, the Jacksonville Jaguars' 37-34 win over the Indianapolis Colts may have only bought Doug Pederson a temporary reprieve. The Jags are still 1-4, and any scenario in which they miss the playoffs could cost Pederson his job given the expectations ownership laid out before the season started.

As much as Jacksonville's general fate rests on the development of quarterback Trevor Lawrence, hiring an offensive-mind coach and former NFL QB hasn't achieved much.

Saleh would undoubtedly help to improve a defense that ranks 31st in yards allowed (393.4) and 30th in points (28.6).

The rapid growth of C.J. Stroud with the Houston Texans under DeMeco Ryans, a former defensive coordinator, is also an example of how the right offensive coordinator is often all you need to let a young quarterback thrive.