Aaron Glenn Emerges as Frontrunner for Jets Head Coach Position

NEW YORK — Aaron Glenn, the Detroit Lions‘ defensive coordinator, has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next head coach of the New York Jets, according to NFL insider James Palmer of Bleacher Report. Glenn, who has interviewed with multiple teams, is reportedly favored for the Jets’ position due to his strong ties to the organization and his experience in building team culture.

Glenn, 52, played for the Jets from 1994 to 2001, earning two Pro Bowl selections and becoming a member of the Jets’ All-Time Four Decade Team. After his playing career, he returned to the organization as a personnel scout from 2012 to 2013. His coaching resume includes stints as a defensive backs coach for the New Orleans Saints under Sean Payton and as the Lions’ defensive coordinator since 2021.

“It seems like Aaron Glenn’s kind of still the frontrunner,” Palmer said. “What Aaron Glenn has done on both the personnel side, the coaching side … I think with the cultural changes that need to change (in New York) that are attached to him with … (having been) around somebody that builds a culture like Sean Payton (or) Dan Campbell … (that’s) important when you’re evaluating everything that needs to change with the Jets.”

Despite his connection to the Jets, Glenn has also interviewed with the Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints for their head coaching vacancies. Notably, he declined an interview with the New England Patriots, stating, “It just wasn’t the best situation for me.”

Glenn’s immediate focus remains on the Detroit Lions’ upcoming divisional-round playoff game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night. However, his future as a head coach in the NFL appears increasingly likely, with the Jets reportedly prioritizing his leadership to revitalize their struggling franchise.

Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys have also shown interest in Glenn, according to Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. The Cowboys, who have been slower in their coaching search, have interviewed only two candidates so far, including former Jets head coach Robert Saleh. Glenn’s ties to multiple teams and his reputation as a culture builder make him one of the most sought-after candidates in this coaching cycle.

As the Jets and other teams weigh their options, Glenn’s decision could hinge on factors such as organizational stability and proximity to his hometown of Houston. For now, the NFL world watches closely as one of the league’s most respected defensive minds navigates his path to a potential head coaching role.