Current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has had an impressive year. Even without forcing any turnovers against the Houston Texans, the Packers still lead the NFL with 17 takeaways this season. For comparison, Joe Barry’s last Packers defense recorded a total of 18 takeaways for the entire 2023 season. The performance of the defense this year has been a breath of fresh air for Packers fans, who have faced disappointment with the team’s defense and coaching decisions for over a decade. Many were skeptical about Hafley’s hiring due to this history of disappointment.
However, this year’s success has come as a welcome surprise, and fans received another unexpected boost regarding the defense on Wednesday. One of the coaches that Packers fans have long hoped to see on the coaching staff is former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Despite the Jets’ consistently poor records, they maintained one of the best defenses in the league under his leadership. Additionally, Saleh is close friends with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was his best man at his wedding.
As many fans are aware, Saleh was recently dismissed as the Jets head coach following a 2-3 start to the season.
Now, it appears he might have a role in Green Bay:
Recently fired Jets coach Robert Saleh was spotted at Packers practice, maintaining a long-standing relationship with LaFleur and having worked with Hafley.
LaFleur will address the media after practice to discuss whether Saleh has been hired in any capacity.
In the meantime, fans were excited to see footage of him observing the offense from the sideline, generating a buzz on social media:
“Oh please god yes let my memes come true” – Ross Uglem
“Made a beeline to the only group of people on earth who hate Aaron Rodgers even more than he does” – David P. Woods
“TURN THIS UP!” – Chef Jeff Hafley
“The Aaron Rodgers trade compensation to the Jets can now include Robert Saleh as well” – Ken – Packers Cap
“Robert Saleh and Jeff Hafley on the same defense? This could be a generational defense!” – GREEN AND G-O-L-D GOLD