Questions arise about job security of Jets' Robert Saleh

It's been thought throughout the fall that the power injured quarterback Aaron Rodgers allegedly holds would cause New York Jets owner Woody Johnson to retain head coach Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and general manager Joe Douglas through this offseason. 

According to ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano, that may not necessarily be the case. 

"Some in the coaching community are wondering whether, if the Jets continue to lose and there continues to be chatter about behind-the-scenes dysfunction, that might be a sneaky spot to watch for a potential coaching change at the end of this season," Graziano explained for a piece published Wednesday. "...Don't be surprised to hear some rumblings around [the Saleh, Hackett] situations if the Jets continue to free-fall and end the season with four or five wins."

The Rodgers-less Jets dropped five straight games to fall to 4-8 before it was reported Monday that signal-caller Zach Wilson "is reluctant" to start for the franchise again this season. During a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers defended Wilson and also blasted people within the organization responsible for "leaks" that could "assassinate somebody’s character." 

Saleh thus far has gone 15-31 as Jets head coach since the start of the 2021 season. Hackett, meanwhile, previously served as Rodgers' offensive coordinator when both were with the Green Bay Packers from 2019 through the 2021 campaign. 

Rodgers turned 40 years old this past Saturday but is expected to return from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11 and play for the Jets next season. 

"Multiple sources have pointed out to me in recent days that Jets owner Woody Johnson was still away serving as ambassador to the United Kingdom when his brother [Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson] oversaw the hiring of Saleh, and that Woody could have other ideas if things turn very ugly," Graziano added. "The offense has been an abject disaster without Rodgers. Would he go to the mat to save the job of his preferred offensive coordinator in Hackett, if ownership insisted on coaching changes? It's a question at least worth keeping in mind."

Per ESPN stats, the Jets ended Week 13 ranked 31st in the NFL with an average of 260.1 offensive yards per game and 30th with an average of 14.3 points per contest. 

The Denver Broncos fired Hackett as head coach last December after he held that job for only 15 regular-season games. While he accumulated a lackluster record of 4–11, his experience in Denver coupled with his relationship with Rodgers presumably would make Hackett a favorite to replace Saleh if ownership goes in a different direction after Week 18.