NFL insider shares if Jets' Robert Saleh is safe

There's yet another indication that the New York Jets will run it back with head coach Robert Saleh and quarterback Aaron Rodgers for another season. 

For a piece published Wednesday, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN noted that the Jets' impressive 30-6 home win over the Houston Texans this past Sunday "was a big boost to Robert Saleh's chances of returning next season." Gang Green had dropped five consecutive contests before the club improved to 5-8 on what's been a disappointing campaign for the organization. 

"They probably would have had to lose out and see proof he was losing control in order to make a change there," Graziano added about the Jets-Saleh situation. "Sure, it's still possible, but I lean toward Saleh being safe."

While Saleh holds an overall regular-season record of 16-31 as Jets head coach, he can't be blamed for the fact that Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles four snaps into this season or for general manager Joe Douglas failing to acquire a proven replacement for struggling backup signal-caller Zach Wilson. 

Wilson earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against the Texans, but ESPN stats show that the third-year pro ended Week 14 ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified players with a 32.2 adjusted QBR and 29th with a 78.2 passer rating on the season. 

It's been said throughout the fall that Saleh, Douglas and often-criticized Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will hold onto their jobs because Rodgers likes them and is unofficially making such important decisions for the franchise. By all accounts, Rodgers plans to play next season and could even try to return to the lineup as soon as New York's Christmas Eve home game against the Washington Commanders. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Jets a 0.3% chance to make the playoffs. At that same time, oddschecker listed New York as an 8.5-point road underdog for this Sunday's game at the 9-4 Miami Dolphins.