It’s safe to say that Robert Saleh will not be the Detroit Lions’ next defensive coordinator, despite the buzz surrounding his potential return to the organization. While the idea of Saleh coming back to Detroit has gained traction, especially given his previous ties to the Lions and his current success as the head coach of the New York Jets, there are several reasons why it’s highly unlikely.
First, Saleh is firmly entrenched in his role as head coach for the Jets, and his coaching philosophy and leadership have brought significant improvement to their defense. Saleh has shown he’s capable of building a competitive team in New York, and it’s improbable that he would abandon that project to take on a defensive coordinator position elsewhere. His current position gives him the autonomy to shape a team according to his vision, which is a significant step up from being a coordinator.
Second, the Lions have already made strides under their current defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn. The team has shown noticeable improvement in recent seasons, and Glenn’s defense has evolved with younger players stepping up and a more aggressive approach. Moving away from Glenn now could disrupt the team’s development and undermine the continuity that’s been building under his guidance.
Finally, it’s also worth considering the Lions’ overall direction. With a promising roster and a young, dynamic head coach in Dan Campbell, they’re looking to build long-term success. Bringing in a new defensive coordinator would make sense if there were significant struggles, but at this stage, the coaching staff’s focus appears to be on growing together.
In short, while Saleh’s success and Detroit ties are intriguing, the practical realities make it clear that Robert Saleh will not be the Lions’ next defensive coordinator.