Three months after firing Robert Saleh, the Jets finally have a new coach.
Aaron Glenn finally returned home to where his career began after agreeing to become the Jets head coach on Wednesday afternoon.
Now, the real offseason work begins for the Jets. They still need to find a new general manager who will work with Glenn in hopes of turning around a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010.
Gang Green brought Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark in for a second interview, but they are still expected to conduct more interviews with candidates.
However, regarding the coaching hire, the Jets’ hiring of Glenn was the right move for owner Woody Johnson both on and off the field. It takes a unique person to coach the Jets because there’s a lot that comes with that.
Glenn, firsthand as a player and working within the organization as a scout from 2012-13, knows that. He knows how to deal with the distractions that come with working in the New York metropolitan area and the scrutiny Glenn would face if he doesn’t produce on the field results. But despite that, Glenn still took the job, which says a lot about him and his want to turn the Jets from a laughing stock to contenders, much like he and Dan Campbell did with the Lions.
Glenn doesn’t have prior head coaching experience but has worn many hats after starting at the bottom following the end of his playing career. In 2012, Glenn called then-Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum regarding opportunities to begin his post-NFL career and attended that year’s Senior Bowl and NFL Combine on his own dime. Many coaches cannot say they have experience working both as a scout and coach, but Glenn can.
In addition, Glenn was coached by Pete Carroll, Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and Sean Payton. Being in multiple buildings and working for various coaches should also benefit Glenn, who can add his own style and flavor to a Jets organization in need of a makeover following a 5-12 season.
The Jets need a culture builder like Glenn who can lead the team to long-term success, something they have struggled with for decades. Since entering the AFL in 1960, the Jets have just four division titles all-time with the last one coming in 2002.
Campbell brought Glenn to Detroit as his defensive coordinator in 2021. All Glenn did during that time was was improve the Lions defense in each of the four seasons he oversaw the unit.
Despite injuries to pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson (broken leg) and defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee, torn ACL), cornerback Carlton Davis (fractured jaw), and linebacker Derrick Barnes (knee, torn PCL and MCL), the Lions finished 15-2. They were the top seed in the NFC before getting bounced in the divisional round by the Commanders.
Detroit ended the season 20th in total yards (342.4) and seventh in points allowed (20.1). That was an improvement from the 2023 season when the Lions allowed 23.2 points per game.
Whoever the new Jets general manager is, along with Glenn, they will have to decide whether to bring back Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers, 41, is still deciding whether to return for a 21st season in 2025 and has no remaining guaranteed money on his contract.
If Glenn and the Jets decide to release Rodgers or he chooses to retire, they will have to pivot because backup veteran Tyrod Taylor and 2024 fifth-round pick Jordan Travis out of Florida State are the only two quarterbacks on the roster.
Gang Green will also need to decide on if the team will bring back Rodgers’ friend Davante Adams, who was acquired in a 2024 midseason trade with the Raiders. Adams is under contract with the Jets for the next two seasons, but none of his $72.5 million is guaranteed, and he would have to be reworked if he wants to remain on the team.
Then there’s Garrett Wilson, the Jets other top receiver, who was noticeably frustrated about his role at times during the season. There’s speculation that Wilson could ask for a trade or a contract extension despite possibly being under control for the next two seasons. Gang Green could choose to exercise Wilson’s fifth-year option for 2026.
No matter what happens with Rodgers, Adams and Wilson, the Jets roster will look completely different in 2025. They will have $20.7 million of salary cap space, according to Over the Cap.
The Jets have 28 players scheduled to hit free agency in March, including starters D.J. Reed, Tyler Conklin, and Jamien Sherwood. Considering the lack of salary cap room, the Jets could have issues substantially improving their roster.
In addition, Glenn needs to hire a new offensive coordinator, especially since he is a defensive-minded coach. The Jets finished 24th in yards (310.3) and 25th in scoring (19.9).
Names that could be in play are Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and offensive line coach Hank Fraley.
NFL teams prioritize having a GM before a coach because that is the person who usually builds the roster through free agency, the draft, and offseason trades. The Jets will have the seventh pick in April’s NFL Draft.
Glenn being hired is just the start of things for the Jets. But the franchise is hoping they can have a similar turnaround, much like the Lions have had each of the last two years.
