FLORHAM PARK, NJ – The New York Jets, which is one of the worst seasons in franchise history, have reached an agreement in principle with San Francisco 49ers defense coordinator Robert Saleh to become their next head coach, the team said Thursday night announced.
The deal is for five years, league sources told Adam Schefter, ESPN.
Saleh, 41, who was interviewed virtually last Friday, quickly established himself as the forerunner of the Jets. On Tuesday, he flew to New Jersey for a second interview. On Thursday, the Jets concluded a second interview with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith of Tennessee. At that point, the Jets were conducting internal discussions and decided to make an offer to Saleh, a source said.
There was a lot of competition for Saleh, who received requests from six of the seven teams in the NFL head coaching market.
Saleh is expected to take on 49ers coordinator Mike LaFleur as passive coordinator, sources told Schefter.
Saleh replaces Adam Gase, who is 9-23 and was sacked immediately after the 2020 season.