Jan. 17, 2026, 8:45 a.m. ET
The New York Jets are in the process of hiring a new defensive coordinator. Potential candidates could include Matt Eberflus and Jonathan Gannon. While the Jets threw their support behind head coach Aaron Glenn after a disappointing debut season, nine other NFL teams are participating in this year’s head coaching cycle.
One vacancy has already been filled as the New York Giants won the John Harbaugh sweepstakes. The eight others are still going through their interview process. Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh appears to be a serious candidate for at least three openings.
Saleh will coach the 49ers on Saturday as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC playoff divisional round. Meanwhile he interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals‘ and Miami Dolphins‘ head coaching vacancies on Thursday evening. Saleh is scheduled to interview virtually with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Saleh went 20-36 in three-and-a-half seasons as the Jets’ head coach. It appears the rest of the league agrees he deserves a second opportunity after dealing with the toxicity of the Aaron Rodgers era. Saleh is one of the most in-demand coaches this hiring cycle.
The Cardinals and Dolphins openings don’t have much to offer besides warm weather. The Titans are rebuilding, but have franchise quarterback Cam Ward, something the Jets lacked throughout Saleh’s tenure. We’ll see if Saleh can land a second head coaching opportunity this cycle.
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