Former Jets QB names potential Robert Saleh replacement

Former New York Jets quarterback and current CBS Sports NFL analyst Boomer Esiason still has ties to Gang Green and also has a replacement in mind if Jets head coach Robert Saleh struggles to produce a winning season later this year. 

Per Ryan Chichester of Audacy, Esiason predicted during Tuesday's edition of the WFAN "Boomer and Gio" program that former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel could "be at the top of" the Jets' wish list of coaching candidates by January 2025. 

"I think all bets are off," Esiason explained about Saleh's status. "If (quarterback) Aaron Rodgers plays great, they’ll win, and everybody keeps their jobs. But if he doesn’t make it through and we’re back where we were this year?"

Saleh thus far has gone 18-33 across three seasons as New York's head coach but was given a pass for this past campaign after Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles four offensive snaps into the team's Week 1 game versus the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. 

While big names such as Vrabel and former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick were available to clubs this offseason, it's believed Rodgers convinced Jets owner Woody Johnson to run it back with Saleh for at least one more year. 

Without Rodgers, the 2023 Jets posted a 7-10 record. 

Vrabel, meanwhile, went 54-45 across six regular seasons with Tennessee but was responsible for back-to-back losing campaigns before Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk somewhat controversially parted ways with the 48-year-old in January. 

As shared by Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, The Athletic's Dianna Russini recently reported that an unnamed general manager believes Vrabel's physical stature may be one reason he didn't immediately receive a different head coaching job this winter. 

"That’s the kind of coach I want on my sideline," Esiason said about Vrabel. "I want an intimidating coach." 

Assuming Esiason was speaking for at least some individuals within the Jets, the Saleh-Rodgers duo may need to guide the club to more than just a playoff appearance next season to prevent Johnson from reaching out to Vrabel ahead of Super Bowl LIX.