Long-time Jets rival and Super Bowl winner is 'interested in coaching New York... but with a condition'

At least one former New England Patriot is interested in coaching the rival New York Jets.

And that man, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini, is former NFL linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.

Speaking on his podcast, Flight Deck with Rich Cimini, the long-time Jets beat writer explained Vrabel is willing to replace the fired Robert Saleh with Gang Green, but on one condition: The three-time Super Bowl winner wants to know who New York's general manager will be.

Team owner Woody Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas in November – one month after releasing Saleh amid a 2-3 start. Jeff Ulbrich has gone just 1-6 as interim head coach.

Vrabel was fired in Nashville last January after six season seasons with the Titans, whom he brought to the AFC Title Game in 2019. Over his time with Tennessee, Vrabel went 54-45. Interestingly, the Titans have struggled without Vrabel, going just 3-9 this year – the same record as the woeful Jets.

Now a coaching and personnel consultant with the Cleveland Browns, Vrabel cut his teeth playing under legendary Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who is largely despised in Jets circles.

Belichick famously backed out of coaching the Jets in 2000 only to sign in New England, where he won six Super Bowls while tormenting his divisional rival in New York.

What's more, Belichick's disdain for the Jets and Johnson has been well documented, but that's not any concern to Vrabel.

As Cimini reports, he doesn't care if his mentor dislikes the organization in Florham Park, New Jersey. He's still willing to interview and find out for himself.

Of course, the next Jets coach will be cleaning up after the disastrous 2024 campaign, which has been particularly difficult for quarterback and once-perceived franchise savior, Aaron Rodgers.

The 41-year-old told reporters this week that he'd be happy to return to the Jets next season, but doesn't see the remaining give games on the schedule as an audition for 2025.

'If they want me to stay, fantastic,' Rodgers said Wednesday. 'If it takes these five games, maybe they don´t know what I bring to the table.

'But that being said I´d love to play really friggin' well the last five games.'

Rodgers is under contract for next season at a salary-cap figure of $23.5 million, which will be about 9 percent of the team's potential payroll for the season.

One source told Cimini they'd be 'shocked' if Johnson agreed to bring Rodgers back in 2025. Meanwhile, NFL Network reported that Rodgers will need a strong finish to get a chance at returning next season.