Could an Opening with the Jets Lure former Steelers Coach Bill Cowher Out of Retirement?

Could former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher be considering a return to an NFL sideline with the New York Jets?

That seems unlikely after a 14-year layoff, but Boomer Esiason, who is Cowher’s co-host on the CBS NFL Today pregame show, suggested that it might be a possibility on his radio show on WFAN in New York on Monday.

Cowher was initially suggested as a long shot when discussing the Jets potentially firing Adam Gase and looking for replacements this offseason by Esiason’s co-host, Gregg Giannotti. But Esiason suggested it might not be as much of a long shot as most would think.

“All I know is that yesterday, he was showing me and Nate [Burleson’ film of him coaching on the sideline where he was mic’ed up, and we looked at each other like, ‘hmm, what does that mean?’” Esiason said. “Is he sending a message? I’ve worked with him for 14 years and I’ve never seen that.”

The Jets, who fell to 0-12 after a last-second loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, are in the driver’s seat to land the No. 1 overall pick.

If general manager Joe Douglas does fire Gase, who is 7-21 over two seasons in New York, the job will likely have many suitors.

“[Cowher] was saying to me yesterday, he’s the one that told me the Jets job is going to be really attractive, and they could hire whomever they want,” Esiason added, “And he told me he loves Joe Douglas.”

Cowher has lived in New York since 2010.