Robert Saleh has made a surprising and swift return to the NFL, joining the Green Bay Packers just over two weeks after being abruptly fired by the New York Jets as head coach. Saleh was spotted at Packers practice for the first time on Wednesday, and head coach Matt LaFleur later confirmed that Saleh had joined the coaching staff in a consulting role.
LaFleur, who has known Saleh for years and was the best man at his wedding, expressed his excitement about the addition.
“He’s got an elite defensive mind,” LaFleur said. “But that’s exactly why I want him on the offensive side — to help us find ways to attack defenses. His return so quickly just shows how much he loves the game of football.”
Saleh’s unexpected comeback set off a wave of reactions on social media, particularly since he is now with the Packers, the longtime team of Aaron Rodgers, who was Saleh’s quarterback during their time together with the Jets.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Robert Saleh joining the Packers as a consultant and winning a Super Bowl would be a fun twist to the Rodgers Jets era.”
Another fan wrote, “If Robert Saleh wins a Super Bowl with the Packers while the Jets and Rodgers are struggling, that might be the end of me.”
The possibility of Saleh returning to the Super Bowl — this time with Green Bay — captured the imaginations of many. One fan envisioned a scenario where “Saleh carries the Lombardi Trophy through the streets of Green Bay while Aaron Rodgers watches.”
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Some fans even jokingly speculated about NFL conspiracies, with one saying, “Looks like the NFL is setting the script for the Super Bowl early this year.”
The Packers, currently 5-2 and sitting in third place in the NFC North, are gearing up to host the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend. The following week, they face a crucial divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions.
Interestingly, the Packers are not scheduled to play the Jets in the regular season, meaning any potential reunion between Saleh and his former team would only occur if both franchises make it to the playoffs.
The Jets, however, are in dire need of wins to make that possibility a reality, having recently suffered a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers despite the addition of star wide receiver Davante Adams in a trade.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who spent 18 seasons with the Packers and led them to a Super Bowl victory, was limited in practice on Wednesday due to a minor hamstring issue as well as lingering injuries to his knee and ankle.
The Jets, meanwhile, face a critical matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday, a must-win game if they hope to revive their playoff chances.
Saleh’s firing from the Jets came amid controversy after he wore a Lebanon flag patch during the team’s game in London.
Saleh, whose parents are of Lebanese descent, wore the flag on his uniform at a time when conflict was escalating between Israel and Hezbollah, with bombings continuing in Beirut.
While he had worn the patch previously, including last season, the gesture sparked outrage among some fans, especially given the timing — just before the anniversary of the October 7 attacks on Israel.
Now, Saleh is embarking on a new chapter with the Packers, reuniting with LaFleur in hopes of making a deep postseason run, and perhaps silencing the noise surrounding his exit from New York.
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