The New York Jets hire Aaron Glenn as their new head coach on a 5-year deal. Glenn, a former Jets Pro Bowler, aims to turn the team into playoff contenders.
The New York Jets are hiring Aaron Glenn, the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator, as their new head coach.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news, saying Glenn signed a five-year deal with the Jets that will keep him with the team through 2029.
The Jets later confirmed the hire.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said former Arizona Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks is one of the top candidates to join Glenn’s coaching staff.
Jordan Schultz from Fox Sports added more details about who might join Glenn’s assistant coaching team.
The Lions will get compensatory third-round draft picks in the next two drafts because Glenn was hired as a head coach.
If Glenn hadn’t signed with the Jets, he was reportedly going to interview with the New Orleans Saints.
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Jets’ Struggles Before the Hire
The Jets have been struggling for years. They haven’t made the playoffs in 13 seasons.
In 2024, things were supposed to improve with Aaron Rodgers back from his Achilles injury in Week 1 of 2023.
Rodgers is a four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler, but the team got off to a rough start in 2024, going 2-3.
One of those losses was a tough 10-9 game against the Denver Broncos, where the Jets only managed three field goals.
They also lost 23-17 to the Minnesota Vikings in London, with Rodgers throwing three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown.
After that, the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh, who had been with the team for over three years.
Saleh finished his time with the Jets with a 20-36 record, making him the sixth straight Jets head coach with a losing record.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepped in as interim head coach, but the team went 3-9 under him, finishing the season 5-12.
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Aaron Glenn’s Journey
Aaron Glenn, 52, is no stranger to the Jets. He was a star cornerback for the team from 1994 to 2001, making the Pro Bowl twice.
He played a key role in the Jets’ 1998 season when they went 12-4 and made it to the AFC Championship Game.
Glenn’s NFL career as a player spanned from 1994 to 2008, and he also played for the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New Orleans Saints.
Six years after retiring, Glenn began his coaching career.
He started as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Cleveland Browns, then moved to the Saints as their defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020.
After that, he joined the Lions as defensive coordinator under head coach Dan Campbell.
Glenn had an impressive year with the Lions, leading a top-10 scoring defense despite major injuries.
Key players like Aidan Hutchinson (who missed 11+ games with a broken leg), Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, Carlton Davis, and Alim McNeill all landed on injured reserve, but the defense still performed well.
A New Chapter with the Jets
Now, Glenn is getting his shot as a head coach. Returning to the Jets, where he was once a star player, he’ll look to rebuild the team and end their playoff drought.
Jets fans will be hoping Glenn can turn things around and bring success back to New York.
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