While many felt like Robert Saleh was qualified to be a head coach, the New York Jets had seen enough after he fell to 20-36 across parts of four seasons with the team. Now, Saleh is emerging as a top head coaching candidate elsewhere, and the Jets are still searching for his replacement.
Yet, the Jets may have found their ideal candidate, and it sounds like an offer could be made in the very near future.
Related: Top 2025 NFL free agents: Ranking top 30 players in NFL free agency
New York Jets’ head coaching job is Aaron Glenn’s, if he wants it
The New York Jets are one of five teams still hunting for their next head coach this offseason, but sources indicate their hunt is almost over.
According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Jets are essentially closing in on hiring Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Breaking: I'm told that #Lions DC Aaron Glenn has made it known he's planning to take the #Jets head coach job, as early as yesterday, per multiple league sources.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 22, 2025
This is the expectation still, barring a major setback or flub. pic.twitter.com/Q2eTmAvwMX
I’m told optimism is steadily growing that the visit with #Lions DC Aaron Glenn and #Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark is trending positively, per league sources.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 21, 2025
Moreover, the sentiment is that the #Jets jobs are there’s—pending* all contractual mesh points… pic.twitter.com/rETfQCBRde
Lance Newmark would take over the Jets’ vacant general manager position, and he knows Glenn well from their time together in Detroit before Newmark accepted a job with Washington for the 2024 season.
Meanwhile, the Jets are already familiar with Glenn, not only from his eight seasons playing in New York but also from when he spent two seasons as one of their scouts from 2012 to 2013.
Most recently, Glenn has been serving as the Lions’ defensive coordinator across the past four seasons. He led a Detroit defense that allowed the NFL’s seventh-fewest points, helping them win 15 games and clinch the No. 1 seed in a crowded NFC playoff field. The Jets would be very happy if he could replicate that success in New York, but first, the two sides need to work out a contract that makes sense for both parties.
