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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has reportedly joined the Green Bay Packers coaching staff in a "fluid" role, reuniting with head coach Matt LaFleur, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported on Wednesday (October 23).
LaFleur, who has served as the Packers' head coach since 2019, credits Saleh, then a defensive quality control coach for the Houston Texans, for persuading then-head coach Gary Kubiak to hire him as an offensive assistant in 2008, his first NFL coaching gig. The two coaches previously worked together as graduate assistants at Central Michigan University in 2004, having shared an apartment at the time.
Saleh, who has a defensive background, spent Wednesday's practice watching the offensive side of the ball.
"Yeah, I think it helps," LaFleur said on Wednesday via Demovsky. "Having a defensive mind talking offense and helping us with things he might be able to see, kind of similar scheme stuff, things the defense might be looking for, it helps."
"I think he's got an elite defensive mind. But that's why I want him on the offensive side, so he can help us attack the defenses," he added.
Saleh was fired by the Jets earlier this month after the team's 2-3 start to the 2024 season and a 20-36 record during his tenure as head coach. The Jets have gone 0-2 since Saleh's firing.