The Packers are excited on Twitter about Robert Saleh’s appearance in Green Bay today and a possible partnership with Matt LaFleur

Just 17 days ago, Robert Saleh was on the sideline as head coach of the New York Jets, coaching former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

On Wednesday, Saleh was on the sidelines at a practice in Green Bay, supporting his good friend Matt LaFleur, the Packers’ head coach.

How about a surprise in October?

Saleh was released by the Jets just five games into his fourth season with the Jets after the team failed to live up to expectations.

It doesn’t look like the NFL’s defensive-minded coach will be out for long. LaFleur said he reached out to Saleh after he was released by the Jets on Oct. 8 and told him he would have a spot in Green Bay if he wanted it. Apparently Saleh accepted the offer, but there doesn’t seem to be anything formal.

LaFleur said Saleh’s role is “fluid” and that he will devote his defensive perspective to the Packers’ offense for now.

Here’s what you should know about LaFleur’s relationship with Saleh and how social media is reacting to Wednesday’s news.

Robert Saleh and Matt LaFleur’s relationship explained

Saleh, 45, and LaFleur, 44, have been close friends for 20 years. LaFleur was even the best man at Saleh’s wedding.

LaFleur said Wednesday that he and Saleh were roommates at Central Michigan when they both coached for the Division I university. While LaFleur served as an assistant for the Chippewas from 2004 to 2005 (his first job out of college), Saleh served there as a defensive assistant in 2004.

A few years later, when LaFleur got his first NFL job as an offensive assistant with the Houston Texans in 2008, Saleh was already a friendly face as a defensive quality control coach.

Both continued their NFL coaching careers as assistants, with Saleh establishing himself as a top defensive player and LaFleur serving as the same offensive player.

That led to them each getting two-year head coaching jobs (LaFleur with the Packers in 2019 and Saleh with the Jets in 2021).

Robert Saleh with the Jets

Saleh served as the Jets’ head coach for more than three seasons between the ages of 20 and 36. The team had a top-five defense in the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

However, the Jets failed to advance to the playoffs under Saleh’s leadership. After Rodgers lost four games to an Achilles tendon injury in his first season with the Jets, the Jets entered 2024 with renewed hope. But a 2-3 start led to Saleh being sent off. The coaching change hasn’t helped much, as Rodgers and the Jets are now 2-5.

What will Robert Saleh do with the Packers?

LaFleur said Saleh’s role is currently “fluid.”

Saleh will work with the Packers’ offense to identify “some weak spots” from a defensive standpoint, LaFleur said.

Saleh will stay with LaFleur’s family while he is in Green Bay before departing Friday. LaFleur said he told Saleh to take a break after his firing, but he didn’t heed that advice.

“Shows how much he loves the game of football,” LaFleur said. “It’s hard when that’s taken away from you. I don’t think it was the right decision, but I can’t say that.”

Packers fans were thrilled at the thought of LaFleur and Saleh working together.

Packers Twitter reacts to Robert Saleh in Green Bay, possible partnership with Matt LaFleur

This article originally appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Packers Twitter reacts to Robert Saleh’s appearance in Green Bay today