7 head coaches the NY Jets could've hired to replace Robert Saleh

4. The NY Jets could've hired Mike Macdonald

Sticking with the defensive side of the ball, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald's stock has skyrocketed over the last couple of seasons.

Macdonald was one of the Ravens' top defensive assistants under former DC Wink Martindale, but when the opportunity came for him to join John Harbaugh's brother's coaching staff at Michigan in 2021, he didn't hesitate.

Macdonald re-joined the Ravens as their defensive coordinator in 2022 after Martindale left, and he's continued to work wonders with that Baltimore defense. He may only be 36 years old, but Macdonald is attracting a lot of attention this coaching cycle.

He did cross paths with Joe Douglas in Baltimore as well in 2014, and Douglas remains close with Ravens vice president of player personnel Ozzie Newsome to this day. The connection is there if the Jets ever want to explore it.

3. The NY Jets could've hired Ben Johnson

Every coaching cycle there seems to be one hot new offensive-minded coach that receives widespread attention from the coaching world. This year, that coach is Ben Johnson.

The Detroit Lions offensive coordinator has garnered a reputation as one of the brightest young offensive minds in the sport, given the work he's done with Jared Goff and the entire Lions offense.

Johnson has Goff playing the best football of his career, all while leading Detroit to a top-five offense in consecutive seasons. It would be a surprise if he didn't land a head coach job this winter.

The Jets could've taken the franchise in an entirely new direction with Johnson as their head coach in 2024. Instead, they're hoping Saleh and his staff can turn things around in the near future.