On Tuesday morning, the Jets made the surprising decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh just five weeks into the current season. With the team sitting at 2-3, management felt the time was right to part ways with Saleh, who leaves behind a 20-36 record as the Jets’ head coach since taking over in 2021.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been named the interim head coach, but some believe the Jets should aim much higher for their next permanent hire. One intriguing suggestion that’s gaining attention involves a six-time Super Bowl champion—Bill Belichick.
Gary Myers of the New York Daily News has floated the bold idea that Jets owner Woody Johnson should pick up the phone and give Belichick a call, despite the long and complicated history between the legendary coach and the franchise.
“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,” Myers wrote.
Myers points out several factors that could make Belichick’s potential interest more than just a fantasy. “The chance to coach Aaron Rodgers, who Belichick admires, on a win-now team, combined with Woody’s money, could smooth things over,” Myers suggested. “Belichick needs 15 victories to pass Don Shula for the most wins by a head coach in NFL history. He also needs one more Super Bowl victory to prove it wasn’t all Tom Brady in New England. The Jets would give him both those opportunities.”
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The connection between Belichick and the Jets is famously rocky. Belichick was twice technically the head coach of the New York Jets—once in 1997 and again in 2000—though he never coached a single game. In 2000, he resigned from the role after just one day, famously scribbling “I resign as HC of the NYJ” on a napkin, before quickly taking the head coaching job with the New England Patriots. His tenure with the Patriots led to unprecedented success, winning six Super Bowls and becoming one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.
However, his relationship with the Jets has been icy ever since. But as Myers argues, the allure of coaching Aaron Rodgers and potentially solidifying his legacy by surpassing Don Shula’s win total and winning another Super Bowl without Tom Brady could be tempting enough to set the past aside.
Belichick, who is still coaching the New England Patriots, has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years as his team has struggled post-Brady. The Patriots have looked far from their dominant selves, and the growing perception that Brady was the true key to the dynasty may be gnawing at Belichick, who is just 15 wins shy of Shula’s all-time record. Joining a Jets team with a highly talented roster, once Rodgers returns healthy, could provide the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters and cement his place as the greatest NFL coach of all time.
Of course, the idea of Belichick coaching the Jets might seem far-fetched, given his deep ties to New England and history with the Jets organization. But as Myers notes, the NFL is full of surprises, and at the very least, it’s worth Johnson’s time to make the inquiry.
As the Jets look toward the future, they face a pivotal decision in their search for a new head coach. With Rodgers expected to return next season and a talented roster in place, the team is built to win now. Finding the right coach to guide them through the remainder of this season and beyond will be crucial to their success. While it remains to be seen whether Belichick could ever seriously consider the Jets, his name is one that’s sure to keep fans and analysts talking.
Would Belichick be the right choice to lead the Jets? And perhaps more importantly, would Belichick ever be willing to revisit his past with a team he once famously rejected?
One thing is certain: if Woody Johnson wants to swing for the fences, a call to the six-time Super Bowl winner might be a good place to start.
