Former Jets head coach Robert Saleh was spotted out in New Jersey this week for the first time following his stunning firing last Tuesday after a 2-3 start to the season
Dressed in a gray hooded sweatshirt, jeans and white Nike sneakers, the 45-year-old Saleh shopped for groceries at a local Whole Foods on Tuesday, as seen in photos obtained by The Post.
When asked by a photographer if the masses will see him on an NFL sideline soon, Saleh replied, “God willing,” before driving off in a black SUV.
Saleh said he was “living the dream” when the photographer first asked how he was doing.
Hired in Jan. 2021 after a successful run as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, Saleh spent the past three-plus seasons with the Jets, posting a 20-36 record.
Entering his third year, Jets brass acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Packers, with Super Bowl aspirations immediately building in the tri-state area.
Things took a devastating turn just four plays into the Jets’ 2023 season when Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, putting embattled quarterback Zach Wilson — the team’s second overall pick in 2021 — back as the team’s starter.
The Jets dealt Wilson to the Broncos this offseason and a healthy Rodgers resumed the role of QB1.
The Jets dropped their season-opener to the 49ers on the road before back-to-back wins over the Titans and Patriots.
Things started to go off the rails by Week 4 when the Jets fell to the Broncos in an ugly 10-9 home loss.
The Jets then traveled to London for a hyped matchup against their former quarterback, current Viking Sam Darnold, who helped Minnesota stay undefeated at 5-0 with a 23-17 win over New York.
Two days after the Oct. 6 loss, Saleh was fired.
“This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the Head Coach of the Jets,” team owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “I thanked him for his hard work these past three-and-a-half years and wished him and his family well moving forward. This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”
The Jets named defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as his interim replacement.
Saleh, who was said to be “blindsided” by the ouster, later thanked the Jets in a heartfelt statement.
“To the Jets Organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people,” Saleh said. “I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive.
“To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up everyday and attacked every moment.”
Despite Saleh’s brief comment to the shutterbug, he isn’t chomping at the bit for a swift return to the sideline.
The Post’s Brian Costello previously confirmed that Saleh will not join another NFL club midseason and will look ahead to the 2025 hiring cycle.
A family vacation is on the docket for Saleh, according to NFL insider Michael Silver.
As for the Jets, they dropped to 2-4 on Monday in Ulbrich’s coaching debut with a crushing 23-20 loss to the rival Bills.
The Jets travel to Pittsburgh this week for a “Sunday Night Football” showdown against the Steelers (4-2).
The Week 7 matchup will likely feature a new face on the Jets’ sideline, wide receiver Davante Adams, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade Tuesday.
