Bill Belichick is being linked to the vacant New York Jets head coach position after Robert Saleh was fired on Tuesday morning.
Belichick coached the Jets’ rivals – the New England Patriots – for 23 years between 2000 and 2023 and led them to six Super Bowl titles.
He repeatedly beat the the New Jersey-based team in his tenure with the Pats and the idea of him taking over at MetLife Stadium seemed impossible.
But Belichick departed the Pats at the end of last season and the Jets will be desperate to hire someone who can inspire them to playoff success.
Could it happen? Several NFL experts have weighed in on the idea.
NFL experts on Bill Belichick to the New York Jets
Anyone with an interest in the NFL – besides Patriots fans – would love to see Belichick link up with Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. Regardless of the results, it would be box office.
Here’s what NFL experts are saying about the potential move:
“I know this will likely never happen because Bill Belichick hates the Jets, but I think Woody Johnson at least has to make the phone call,” said Gary Myers. “The chance to coach Aaron Rodgers, who Belichick admires, on a win-now team, combined with Woody’s money, could smooth things over.
“Belichick needs 15 victories to pass Don Shula for winningest coach all time. He also needs one Super Bowl victory to prove it wasn’t all Tom Brady in New England. The Jets would give him both of those opportunities.”
Kevin Clark wrote: “Everyone always says Bill Belichick wouldn’t coach the team because he hates the Jets, but doesn’t hating the Jets mean you’re a true, real deal Jets fan?”
“The Jets should hire Bill Belichick. Or Fireman Ed. Or Aaron Rodgers. Any would work,” tweeted Eddie Radosevich.
Jim Maisano added: “Dear Woody [Johnson] and Bill: Please talk – go to lunch – break bread – find common ground – figure it out. Because Belichick coming back to coach the Jets is a fabulous story and he would make the Jets better quickly!”
Why was Robert Saleh fired by the New York Jets?
The news of Saleh’s firing comes after the Jets’ 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.
With the loss, the Jets fell to 2-3 for the season with difficult games against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers on the horizon.
There is certainly an argument to be made that Saleh was underperforming with a team who have Super Bowl aspirations, but others could point to Rodgers’ poor play as the reason for their struggles.
According to Jay Glazer, Saleh was ‘blindsided by Woody Johnson walking to his office and letting him go’ and ‘disappointed’ not to be able to improve the situation with a ‘very good roster’.
