Jets’ Joe Douglas to speak at Combine, Robert Saleh won’t attend

New York Jets fans will hear from Joe Douglas soon

As has been the case in previous years, the head coach of the New York Jets is opting not to attend the NFL’s biggest draft event.

According to Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic, Robert Saleh will not attend the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis. General manager Joe Douglas and a few of the Jets’ coaches will attend.

Robert Saleh isn’t scheduled to speak at the NFL Combine — but that’s not unusual.

Saleh doesn’t usually go to Indy. Only a couple #Jets coaches do.

Joe Douglas will speak to the media on Wednesday.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) February 22, 2024

Saleh is not the only coach that does not attend the NFL Combine. The 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan, the Packers’ Matt LaFleur, and the Rams’ Sean McVay will not be there. Some first-time head coaches like Jerod Mayo and Mike Macdonald will not be attending either.

HCs not expected to attend/speak at the #NFLCombine:#49ers Kyle Shanahan#Chargers Jim Harbaugh#Cowboys Mike McCarthy#Giants Brian Daboll#Jets Robert Saleh#Packers Matt LaFleur#Patriots Jerod Mayo#Raiders Antonio Pierce#Rams Sean McVay#Saints Dennis Allen#Seahawks Mike…

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) February 22, 2024

However, every coaching situation is different. In the Jets’ case, having more of the organization at the combine would be beneficial.

Outside of a great 2022 draft class, the team’s drafting has been suspect. They have struggled to hit on positions of need in the early rounds and have made questionable decisions in the later rounds of the draft.

In 2023, this came in the form of drafting a developmental linebacker in Zaire Barnes with a fifth-round pick and developmental defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse in the sixth round. The Jets did not need much more depth at these positions, meaning the picks could have been used to take more shots at finding offensive talent at the skill spots or in the trenches.

Having Saleh attend the combine could help the Jets in their draft process. The head coach would have more time to talk to players and understand the type of guys he wants to add to the roster. Saleh and the Jets need to seek every possible avenue to get an advantage, and attending the combine would be an easy way to do so.

Is it the end of the world that Saleh is missing out on the combine? No, not at all.

At the same time, the decision could signal that Saleh is not changing much of his process after three years of not winning many football games. Avoiding the combine and missing this year’s Senior Bowl are signs that Saleh might not think he needs to make adjustments.

How the Jets’ 2024 season will play out remains to be seen. Despite not changing his NFL Combine attendance, Jets fans should hope that Saleh is willing to change other parts of his process to help the team succeed this upcoming season.

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