Former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh was back on an NFL practice field on Wednesday, helping the Green Bay Packers just two weeks after his firing from the Jets.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur mentioned that Saleh, who has a strong background in defense, would be watching over Green Bay’s offense. LaFleur noted that Saleh would stay with the team through Thursday.
LaFleur was uncertain about how much Saleh would assist the Packers in this informal role for the rest of the season, describing the situation as “pretty fluid.”
“I just think it’s a good opportunity, I mean, for him to learn and also for him to help us and give us perspective on how teams might see us, how they might defend us,” LaFleur said. “Certainly can find holes in, or some vulnerabilities if you will in the defense that we’re playing. So yeah, that’s how we’re going to use him.”
LaFleur and Saleh are long-time friends who roomed together while they were graduate assistants at Central Michigan around twenty years ago. They also worked together as assistants with the Houston Texans from 2008 to 2009.
It wasn’t surprising that they spoke right after the Jets fired Saleh on October 8. Saleh had a record of 20-36 as the Jets’ coach.
The Jets were 2-3 when they let Saleh go. They have since lost to the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, with Jeff Ulbrich stepping in as interim head coach.
“I didn’t try to put any pressure on him whatsoever,” LaFleur said. “I just said, ‘Hey, if you want to stay involved or whatever, the opportunity would be here if you wanted it.’”
LaFleur likened this situation to the role Aubrey Pleasant had on Green Bay’s staff two years ago. After the Detroit Lions fired Pleasant as their defensive backs coach, he worked as an offensive consultant with the Packers. Pleasant is now the defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Even though Saleh mostly focused on defense during his time as an NFL assistant, he will be looking at Green Bay’s offense. The Packers (5-2) are heading into Sunday’s game against Jacksonville (2-5) with a three-game winning streak.
“I think he’s got an elite defensive mind,” LaFleur said. “But that’s why I want him on the offensive side, so he can help us attack the defenses.”
Packers quarterback Jordan Love agreed that having Saleh’s insights could be helpful.
“I think it just helps with understanding what the defense is looking at,” Love said. “You can pick up pointers that defensive coaches, defensive minds see and offensive guys might not think about. I think that’s the main thing that helps.”
