Jets Ex Boomer Esiason Names Robert Saleh Replacement
If Robert Saleh falters again, Boomer Esiason is suggesting that the New York Jets dig into the stash of the Titans.
Esiason used the Tuesday edition of his WFAN morning program, "Boomer & Gio" to endorse former Tennessee Titans boss Mike Vrabel as the next lead headset wearer for the Jets. Some observers are surprised to see Vrabel still unemployed after the Titans bid him farewell after six seasons, so Esiason believes the Jets should strike if Saleh fails to get it together in year four.
Rumor has it that some teams may find Vrabel too "intimidating" to be a lasting prescience but that's exactly what Esiason is looking for.
“(Vrabel) is the kind of coach I want on my sideline. I want an intimidating coach,” Esiason said. “He’ll be at the top of everybody’s list next year. Don’t be surprised if he’s not on the Jets’ list."
Despite his reputation as a players' coach, Saleh sits on one of the hottest seats in the NFL. He has made little headway in the quest to end the Jets' lengthy postseason drought (now at 13 seasons) and they've posted an 18-33 record in that span, the fourth-worst tally in the NFL.
Jets supporters are counting down the days until they get to see a healthy Aaron Rodgers line up under center, but the MVP's return undoubtedly places even more pressure on Saleh.
"I think all bets are off," Esiason said. "If 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?”
Vrabel spent six seasons (2018-23) at the Nashville helm, notably guiding the team to the 2019-20 AFC title game (the franchise's first such showing in 17 seasons). The Titans also posted the fifth-best record in the AFC (54-45) whereas the Jets are tied for the NFL's worst mark under three different supervisors in that same period (Saleh, Adam Gase, Todd Bowles).