The New York Jets have made the primary surprising transfer of the 2024 NFL season.
After a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London dropped the Jets to 2-3 on the younger season, New York parted methods with head coach Robert Saleh. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich now takes over on an interim foundation, and whereas he may have a shot over the remainder of the season to have that interim tag dropped, there is no such thing as a scarcity of choices for the group going ahead.
Listed here are a few of these choices. Some maybe extra critical than others.
Invoice Belichick
When Invoice Belichick and the New England Patriots parted methods after final season, there was each expectation that the legendary head coach could be again on the sidelines sooner fairly than later. Belichick finally didn’t get that job, and is spending this season working the media circuit. Between roles with Underdog Fantasy, on the ManningCast in addition to The Pat McAfee Present and even a flip with Door Sprint, Belichick has turn into one thing of a media star this season.
However teaching is in his blood.
And he has been named the top coach of the Jets earlier than.
In any case, Belichick was twice named as the top coach of the Jets, and whereas he by no means coached a recreation for them, this might be a surprising transfer. Again within the 1997 season Belichick was named the interim coach of the Jets whereas the group hammered out an settlement with the Patriots to launch Invoice Parcells from his contract in New England. In the end, that settlement was reached and Parcells took over as the top coach, and Belichick turned an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
Then in 1999 when Parcells stepped down, the Belichick succession plan was in place. Nonetheless, Belichick turned what was to be his introductory press convention into a surprising resignation announcement, his tenure because the Jets head coach lasting in the future.
This might be the last word “full circle” second.
Nathaniel Hackett
This might, clearly, hinge on Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett have a relationship that dates again to their days along with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, and Rodgers has been clear on the document concerning their relationship. Going through questions this summer season about whether or not Jets followers ought to belief the offense in Hackett’s fingers, the QB was clear:
“You ought to belief me and I belief Nathaniel,” Rodgers stated again in Might. “So, to me, that’s finish of story. There’s been lots of BS that’s been stated on the market. There’s lots of issues which have gone on the final couple years that he’s handled that I feel he’s dealt with very professionally. And on the finish of the day, I feel you gotta belief his and my working relationship and the conversations that we have now. You gotta belief the workers.”
If the Jets nonetheless consider, on the finish of this season, that Rodgers is their most suitable choice at quarterback, then you possibly can anticipate that Hackett will get critical consideration to be their head coach going ahead.
Ben Johnson
There’s a large hurdle up entrance.
Does Ben Johnson wish to be a head coach?
The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator has entertained head teaching curiosity the previous two hiring cycles, however on the finish of every Johnson has returned to his position with the Lions. Within the interim he has constructed an environment friendly offense in Detroit, and helped Jared Goff turn into the most effective model of himself.
This too would possibly rely upon how the Jets determine to deal with the quarterback place, albeit to not the extent {that a} potential Hackett rent does. Johnson might actually assist get the most effective model of Rodgers onto the sphere, however he might additionally assist the workforce develop a brand new quarterback ought to the Jets transfer in one other route.
Jeff Ulbrich
Over the subsequent few weeks, Jeff Ulbrich has a possibility to shed the interim tag in New York.
That is Ulbrich’s first stint as a head coach, as the previous linebacker moved straight into the teaching ranks as his NFL enjoying days got here to a detailed. Ulbrich began out as an assistant particular groups coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks for the 2010 season, working his means up by the ranks to turn into the defensive coordinator in 2021 with the Jets, a job he has held till his present promotion.
How the Jets carry out over the subsequent few weeks will decide simply how a lot of an opportunity Ulbrich has at incomes this job full-time. Nonetheless, what may be working in opposition to him is the standard NFL hiring cycle, which sees groups transfer from defensive-minded coaches to offensive-minded coaches, and vice versa. The Jets may be wanting in the direction of an offensive-minded coach with their subsequent rent, particularly if they’re shifting on from Rodgers.
Mike Vrabel
There are lots of “ifs” in the case of the Jets in 2025, however if Aaron Rodgers retains enjoying and tries to run this again the workforce gained’t be very engaging to a first-time head coach attempting to place their mark on a corporation.
Enter Mike Vrabel, who has a longtime resume and at this level is simply in search of a possibility. He wouldn’t be too treasured about having a workforce constructed solely for him on offense, together with his teaching sensibilities being defensive anyway. Which means there’s a transparent path to hope for quick success with Rodgers, after which pivot to a brand new QB — with out the inherent threat of being a scapegoat for the earlier regime’s selections. Everybody would perceive Vrabel’s position as an upside bridge coach greater than the rest.
Actually, this is among the finest sensible outcomes the Jets might hope for.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
There was a short rumor within the political world this previous spring that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was contemplating Aaron Rodgers to be his vice presidential operating mate, earlier than shuttering his marketing campaign.
So .. yeah we’re simply throwing that out right here.
Aaron Glenn
You’re going to listen to Aaron Glenn’s identify come up rather a lot within the new teaching cycle. Whereas the Lions’ defensive coordinator won’t have the identical quantity of covetous consideration as Ben Johnson, make no mistake: Glenn is doing an exceptional job in Detroit.
The Lions are at present tenth within the NFL in factors scored in opposition to, whereas Aidan Hutchinson is flourishing with 6.5 sacks this season. Not solely does Glenn maximize the expertise he’s in a position to get out of his gamers, however he has a definite eye for expertise as we noticed in behind-the-scenes footage from the NFL Draft of Glenn being over the moon the workforce might land one in every of his favourite gamers in Brian Department, who has gone on to turn into a star.
Add within the feel-good issue of teaching the workforce who drafted him in 1994 and it makes for a fairly compelling package deal. Additionally of observe: Glenn was a personnel scout for the Jets in 2012-13, that means he has some familiarity with their organizational operations, even when lots of the faces have modified.
Bobby Slowik
Over the last hiring cycle one of many hottest names was that of Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. C.J. Stroud’s unbelievable rookie season, and the Texans’ surprising division title, propelled Slowik into the interview course of final yr.
The Texans are off to a different robust begin, having simply knocked off the Buffalo Payments to enhance to 4-1 on the yr. That has Houston atop the AFC South standings once more, and only a recreation behind the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the convention.
Slowik interviewed with each the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons final winter earlier than finally returning to Houston. But when groups come calling once more, it may be the best second for Slowik to take his shot at a head teaching gig. Once more, a lot of this would possibly rely upon what the group does concerning Rodgers, but when the Jets are happening the rookie quarterback path subsequent spring, Slowik makes a substantial amount of sense.
Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury has Jayden Daniels enjoying like an Offensive Rookie of the Yr candidate.
He additionally has head teaching expertise, with stops at Texas Tech and Arizona with the Cardinals.
The considered a Kingsbury-Rodgers pairing sounds extra like a script for an HBO reboot of the outdated First and Ten sequence — look it up youngsters — however ought to the group design to maneuver on from Rodgers, or the quarterback himself steps away, Kingsbury may be a candidate. Given his offensive-minded method, and what he’s exhibiting this season for Daniels, he may be the perfect rent to information a brand new quarterback’s transition to the NFL.
