LI's Rob Calabrese leaves Jets for assistant position with Rams
Jets quarterbacks coach Rob Calabrese answers questions from media during OTAs at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, N.J. on June 8, 2022. Credit: Noah K. Murray
Rob Calabrese, the former East Islip High School player who spent the past three seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Jets, has left to take a position as offensive assistant with the Rams. His new job was announced by Los Angeles on Tuesday. The move reunites him with former Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who will be entering his second season as the coordinator for the Rams under coach Sean McVay.
Calabrese, 33, was hired by Robert Saleh when he arrived as coach in New York in 2021 and tasked with helping to develop Zach Wilson. That job went unfinished. Wilson, the second overall pick in 2021, went 12-21 in 33 starts, was benched multiple times, and is not expected to return in 2024. Calabrese did get to coach — and likely learned from — Aaron Rodgers this past season. Had their on-field relationship lasted more than the four plays before Rodgers tore his Achilles in the season opener it almost certainly would have improved Calabrese’s resume.
Owner Woody Johnson said at NFL Honors earlier this month that improving the offense was going to be the focus of the offseason and while offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has kept his job, Calabrese is the third offensive position coach to be replaced. Running backs coach Taylor Embree was replaced by Tony Dews and receivers coach Zach Azzanni was replaced by Shawn Jefferson. The Jets have not yet named a replacement for Calabrese.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
