Jets' head coach candidates after Robert Saleh firing: Bill Belichick or first-time hire?

In addressing the mounting issues from the New York Jets' 2-3 start, coach Robert Saleh on Monday highlighted there was plenty of time remaining in the season and "nobody in the building is panicked."

One day later, owner Woody Johnson seemingly made it clear he holds a different perspective.

The Jets fired Saleh on Tuesday in an abrupt pivot for a franchise that had been intent on pushing for a Super Bowl title - or at least the franchise's first playoff berth in 14 years. But in Aaron Rodgers' highly anticipated return to action after his debut campaign was cut short by a torn Achilles just four plays into his first game, New York showed few signs of progress. The offense scored as many points (93) as it did in its first five games last season with Zach Wilson under center, with Rodgers and the last-ranked rushing attack both flailing.

With defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich taking over as the interim coach, Gang Green will try to salvage what remains of this season. But the move also puts a spotlight on 2025, when the team will make what could be the most anticipated hire of that offseason cycle.

Barring an about-face from Rodgers, who said this spring he is "hopeful" he can play several more seasons, the Jets seem likely to remain focused on making the most of their current competitive window, even at the expense of the long-term outlook. That, however, sets up an interesting dynamic in pinpointing a new hire. While owner Woody Johnson no doubt would like to identify the next Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan with an ace play-caller to overhaul the offense, such a move would almost assuredly entail entrusting the franchise to a first-time head coach who hasn't spent long in the assistant ranks. Meanwhile, most of the more established names available are from the defensive side of the ball and would need to bring on a trusted figure to reconfigure things with Rodgers and the rest of the offense.

Here are the top head-coaching candidates for the Jets after Saleh's dismissal:

Jets head coaching candidates

Bill Belichick

Of course the six-time Super Bowl winner will loom over any head-coaching opening. By becoming the first team with a vacancy for their top job, the Jets will become an instant source of speculation for a potential reunion with Belichick. Strictly from a personnel perspective, it's easy to see why Belichick would be enticed to table his decades-long distaste for the franchise and give it a second go nearly 25 years after he scribbled "I resign as HC of the NYJ" on a napkin. (Belichick also had another stint as the team's interim coach before the official hiring of Bill Parcells in 1997.) And for a franchise that has openly been in win-now mode since Rodgers' arrival, turning to the 72-year-old former architect of the New England Patriots' dynasty would represent the ultimate "all-in" moment.

Yet there's a sizable question of how Belichick would adapt to the Jets' ecosystem - or vice versa - given his previous experience having nearly unchecked levels of power. And while Belichick and Rodgers have healthy respect for one another, could the two headstrong leaders find a way to craft a working relationship? And given how the end of his Patriots tenure unfolded and the rampant offensive struggles that plagued the coach in the post-Tom Brady landscape, there could be several elements to give the Jets pause about this move.

Ben Johnson

Arguably the hottest coaching candidate on the market, Johnson has been discerning in his approach, bowing out of the last two cycles to return to his post with the Detroit Lions. With the Lions' attack still rolling despite some early red-zone issues, Johnson should again be a fixture of the head-coach interview circuit. The big question: What would it take for the 38-year-old to make the leap, and can the Jets offer that? This will be one of the biggest pressure-cooker jobs to come open, and the baggage might dissuade Johnson. For the Jets, though, there's immediate appeal in bringing aboard a play-caller with Johnson's creativity, even though he might need a former NFL head coach on staff as a stable hand to help reset things within the locker room.

Bobby Slowik

Another offensive wunderkind, the 37-year-old Slowik emerged as a hot name last season after crafting a high-powered attack for then-rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans. Only in his second year in an offensive coordinator role, he would be making a sizable career jump - but it's one he's on track for, and sooner rather than later. There's considerable upside in bringing in another crafty play-caller. But again, questions will remain about whether this is the right spot for a first-time coach given the focus on maximizing the next year or two.

Joe Brady

Perhaps it's premature to float the possibility of the 35-year-old offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills as a possibility to call shots for the 40-year-old Rodgers and the rest of the Jets. Still, there's no denying that Brady has provided a serious boost to the Josh Allen-helmed attack since being installed into the job midway through last year. Under Brady, the Bills' offense has proven highly adaptable, with the ability to unleash Allen's singular physical talents as a passer and runner while still tapping into the ground game. Schematically, Brady's affinity for pre-snap motion might be something that would need to be sorted out. Rodgers has come around to the idea of utilizing the tactic more after resisting it for much of his career, but further acclimation likely would be required given the degree to which Brady deploys it.

Mike Vrabel

Maybe there's a middle ground for the Jets if previous head-coaching experience is a priority. Vrabel was dismissed by the Tennessee Titans in January after compiling a 54-45 record and leading the team to three playoff appearances from 2019-21. After he didn't land another top job, he joined the Cleveland Browns as a coaching and personnel consultant. It stands to reason that a 49-year-old former head coach with an extensive winning track record would have plenty of allure for any franchise looking to get back on track. But the fit might not be perfect for the Jets given Vrabel's defensive orientation and the Titans' anachronistic, run-heavy approach under his reign.

Brian Flores

The prospect of pairing Flores' vexing scheme with the Jets' elite defensive personnel should be enticing for any franchise. Yet any notion of hiring the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator extends well beyond X's and O's. Flores still is pursuing a racial discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and several of its teams, even though there has been little progress since the case's February 2022 filing. His candidacy for any potential opening is no doubt complicated by that move, as well as Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's recent comments that seemed to criticize Flores for the tone the coach set during his time leading the franchise.

Frank Smith

If Gang Green wants to find a figure who will resonate in the locker room, it'd be difficult to find a better candidate than Smith, who was voted the top offensive coordinator in an NFL Players Association survey published earlier this year. While Mike McDaniel is the Miami Dolphins' play-caller and offensive mastermind, Smith has been praised for his acumen and communication skills. The big X-factor, as always, would be how he could coexist with Rodgers.

Aaron Glenn

It's probably unrealistic for a defensive coach with no prior experience leading a team to get the nod here given everything that's facing this franchise. But Glenn, who was a first-round draft pick of the Jets and earned two Pro Bowl nods during eight years with the team, might help get the culture aligned after serving as Dan Campbell's defensive coordinator for the Lions. He's likely the biggest long shot on this list, but he's certainly worth consideration.

Jeff Ulbrich

Getting the interim tag removed is exceedingly difficult for any coach tasked with seeing out a season, and Ulbrich is likely no exception. But if he manages to pull New York up from its nosedive, the 47-year-old would have to be in the mix for the full-time gig. Ulbrich has done impressive work in helping a supremely talented defense tap into its immense potential, and he could be the right figure to take on the accountability problem multiple players has referenced. But even if he does get the nod, other staff changes – on offense – might be necessary.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jets' next head coach candidates: Bill Belichick or first-time hire?