It took just five weeks for the NFL to see the first head coach firing of the 2024 season.
The New York Jets dismissed Robert Saleh on Tuesday, two days after New York suffered a loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Saleh went 20-36 in parts of three seasons, including 2-3 in 2025. With Aaron Rodgers and company failing to meet expectations in the first five games, the Jets made Saleh the fall guy.
Let’s look at who will replace Saleh this season and the top Jets head coach candidates for 2025.
Who Will Coach Jets in Week 6 After Robert Saleh Firing?
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as the Jets’ interim head coach, according to multiple reports.
A former player, Ulbrich began his coaching career in 2010 with the Seattle Seahawks and joined the Jets in 2021. He worked as New York’s defensive coordinator for the last three seasons and seemingly will continue to lead the defense moving forward.
Here’s new #Jets interim coach Jeff Ullbrich on his stint as a head coach during Senior Bowl week this past February: “It forced me to kind of look at things from a global perspective.” pic.twitter.com/FEgX713Txp
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 8, 2024
Many wondered whether Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett would get the job, given his close relationship with Rodgers. But Hackett’s infamous failure as head coach of the Broncos in 2022 might’ve concerned Jets co-owner Woody Johnson.
The Jets will host the Buffalo Bills next Monday night.
Top Jets Head Coach Candidates for 2025
Ben Johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was the top head coaching candidate last offseason and likely will be the No. 1 option again in 2025.
The Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders — among others — pursued Johnson during last winter’s hiring cycle. Yet, Johnson shocked the NFL world by staying with the Lions and committing to delivering Detroit a Super Bowl title.
Johnson likely would be the top candidate if the Jets focus on hiring an offense-first head coach. But New York could face stiff competition from franchises such as the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles if they also fire their head coaches.
If you were Johnson, would you rather lead a team with an in-prime quarterback or take over a franchise with an aging signal-caller like Rodgers?
Mike Vrabel
Mike Vrabel has the experience and moxie to handle coaching in New York. But would the Jets sign on for another defensive-minded head coach?
Vrabel went 54-45 as the Tennessee Titans head coach and won 2021 Coach of the Year before being fired last offseason. Despite generating interest during the hiring cycle, Vrabel eventually joined the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant.
Vrabel likely will generate interest next offseason, but he could prefer to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. At the end of the day, he and the Jets might not be a great fit.
Jeff Ulbrich
You can’t rule out Ulbrich staying on as the full-time head coach. After all, Antonio Pierce was named permanent head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after holding interim duties last season.
Ulbrich is a bit of an unknown, so it’s hard to speculate whether he’d be a serious candidate. The Jets likely would need to make the playoffs this season for Ulbrich to have any chance over someone like Johnson.
And, again, New York might not want to hire a defense-first head coach.
Brian Flores
To satisfy the Rooney Rule, the Jets will need to interview at least one minority candidate. Brian Flores, who is Black, would qualify while also being a great option.
Flores, who began his coaching career in 2008, coached the Miami Dolphins from 2019 through 2021 before his controversial firing. His subsequent racism-related lawsuit against the NFL could complicate matters, but time has passed, and Flores now is primed to be one of the top candidates next offseason.
Flores has done an excellent job since becoming the Vikings’ defensive coordinator in 2023. With him leading the way, Minnesota has arguably the NFL’s best defense this season.
Yes, Flores is another defensive-minded head coach, but he’s also a respected leader — unless you ask Tua Tagovailoa — and is ready for another opportunity. He’d be a great hire.
Bill Belichick
We had to put Bill Belichick on this list, even though it seems highly unlikely the NFL legend would join the Jets.
Belichick’s hatred for the Jets is well-documented — and the feeling is mutual. There’s a lot of bad blood between the two sides, and it’s hard to imagine Belichick changing heart.
18 years ago today…
Bill Belichick resigns after 24 hours as Jets coach. He joined the @Patriots three weeks later and the rest is #NFLHistory. pic.twitter.com/9uunlMNYtv
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) January 4, 2018
Would Belichick’s fondness for Aaron Rodgers — if he’s even in New York next season — and bitterness toward the New England Patriots be enough for him to rejoin the Jets? That feels like a stretch.
Moreover, New York should prioritize finding a young, offensive-minded head coach to take the franchise in a new direction.