New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has altered his initial plans to skip the entire Scouting Combine and will make an appearance in Indianapolis on Saturday.
Saleh had originally intended to forgo the Combine altogether, having not attended since 2020, but his decision to participate, even for a portion of the week, signals a strategic and calculated approach that other coaches might adopt in the future.
Jets coach Robert Saleh will make a brief appearance at the Scouting Combine, after all. https://t.co/cetIHxS776
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 28, 2024
The move is noteworthy, especially considering that five NFL head coaches opted to entirely skip the Combine this year.
Among them are Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers, Matt LaFleur of the Green Bay Packers, Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams, and Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys.
The absence of several head coaches from the Combine in 2024 does not necessarily signal a loss of interest or appeal for the event, which remains a critical component of the NFL’s pre-draft evaluation process.
However, the dynamics could shift, especially if the Combine adopts a traveling road show format, making it less convenient for coaches.
Currently held in Indianapolis, the Combine’s logistical ease in the city has been a significant factor in its sustained location. The convenience of having all aspects of the event centralized in one location is seen as a practical advantage. If the event were to move to other cities, it could potentially complicate and diminish its overall appeal.
