With the New York Jets firing Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start to their 2024 NFL season, many have pointed to six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick as a possible successor.
Belichick has history with the Jets: he served as the team’s defensive coordinator from 1997-1999 and was slated to replace his mentor, Bill Parcells, as the head coach in 2000. Instead, he famously announced his resignation on a napkin and joined the rival New England Patriots just days later.
Those close to his circle confirmed the 72-year-old Belichick has no interest in coaching quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. “”He wouldn’t jump on a project like this and just try to be the new captain of a ship that is going through the storm, ” a close confidant of Belichick said.
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“It’s not worth the risk, and he is enjoying life a different way for the moment, so he wants to focus on that,” a further source told the US Sun.
Inside sources aren’t the only ones pouring cold water on the potential move. During a recent appearance on the “Up & Adams” show, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked if Belichick would consider joining New York.
The future Pro Football Hall of Famer faceplamed before answering “Oh my gosh, no! There’s no way.” Host Kay Adams asked him if his hate for the Jets remains that strong.
Belichick (right of ref) served as the Jets’ defensive coordinator from 1997-1999 (
Getty Images)
“Yes, it’s that real and it’s just engraved that deep,” Gronkowski said. “It just is, because it just happens when you have a rival in your own division. It just builds up and builds up and I just can’t see him going to the Jets.”
Belichick owns a 38-11 record as head coach of the New England Patriots against the New York Jets (and a further 1-1 in the postseason). The Jets haven’t swept the Patriots since 2000, Belichick’s first season in New England.
The 72-year-old has made the rounds in the media circuit this NFL season. He’s appeared on CW’s “Inside the NFL,” ESPN’s “Manningcast” with Peyton and Eli Manning, and Underdog Fantasy’s “Coach with Bill Belichick” podcast series.
This week, Belichick was asked about the Jets’ move to fire Saleh on his podcast. “If you didn’t like Saleh after 5 games, why did you like him after last season?” asked host Mike Lombardi
“It is a little bit puzzling. It is what it is, and everybody has to move forward. It’s the owner’s prerogative to make that decision, and clearly that’s what he decided to do,” Belichick answered. “But there have been a lot of things that have been kind of confusing. It hasn’t been a great situation for the Jets this year. You can kind of feel there’s been kind of a chill.”
“Some of the personnel acquisitions, the Reddick trade, the offensive line situation, Elijah Moore, bringing in the Packers receivers… there are really just a lot of things that haven’t really worked out,” he continued. “[It] hasn’t all been the coach, certainly there’s ownership, personnel department, and just to say the overall culture.”
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