2nd interview of Robert Saleh with Jets



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Dave birkett

| Detroit Free Press

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Robert Saleh, long considered a fan favorite as the next Detroit The Lions coach left for New York on Tuesday for a second interview with the Jets, and the odds appear to be dwindling for him to take over his hometown team.

Saleh, a native of Dearborn, interviewed the Lions and four other teams last week: the Jets, the Atlanta Falcons, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers.

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He had a strong enough interview with the Jets that he is now considered one of the pioneers for the position, while the Lions have yet to show a will they will ask him to return for a second meeting.

The Lions are set to interview their sixth and seventh head coach candidates this week, Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and have also privately expressed interest in at least one coach. – head of university in post.

Interim head coach Darrell Bevell, former Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell have officially interviewed for the post.

Bevell is seen as a legitimate candidate and has ties to two potential GM hires, Indianapolis Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds and Minnesota Vikings assistant general manager George Paton.

Lewis told people he had a good interview with the Lions, and a report from Dallas on Tuesday said some in the Lions building favor Campbell, a former NFL tight end who played for the Lions and Dallas Cowboys during his career.

Campbell also has direct ties to two GM candidates, Saints Assistant GMs Terry Fontenot and Jeff Ireland, although Fontenot is considered one of the pioneers of the Atlanta Falcons GM position.

The Lions are expected to bring a top candidate or two to Detroit for in-person interviews for their head coach and general manager position. They’ve already met Paton in person, although Paton would be heading to Denver for a second interview Tuesday with the Broncos.

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The Lions have announced talks with 11 GM candidates so far, and Dodds is expected to become the 12th to meet the team on Tuesday. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert also remains on the Lions’ radar if he wants to leave Pittsburgh.

As for Saleh, he is in demand after helping the 49ers reach the Super Bowl last season and finishing in the top seven overall, rushing and passing in defense despite significant injury issues this year.

ESPN reported that the Philadelphia Eagles, who sacked coach Doug Pederson on Monday, requested an interview with Saleh on Tuesday.

On Monday, Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, President Rod Wood and Councilor Chris Spielman hosted a Zoom call with some 40 alumni to update them on research from coaches and general managers. No favorites for either position were named on the call, which included pre-moderated questions and lasted around half an hour.

Contact Dave Birkett at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @davebirkett.



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