While other teams are vying for the Lombardi trophy, the Jets are looking for their Lombardi.
The New York Jets opted to part ways with head coach Robert Saleh following Week 5 this year, ending the once-promising partnership with the head coach after three-plus seasons. The exceptionally early firing was made in part to potentially spark the Jets after a sub-par 2-3 start; it did the opposite, with Jeff Ulbrich’s squad finishing 3-9 over their remaining 12 games.
That sends the same old Jets into the same old process that they’re overly familiar with. Now, there’s a little bit extra added pressure as New York looks to end its playoff drought, which has the unfortunate distinction of being the longest in American pro sports.
Already, New York brass has interviewed several head coaching candidates for their presumably pending vacancy. Here’s who else Gang Green could target as its next head coach:
Jets coaching candidates
Aaron Glenn
Current position: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
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Head coaching record: N/A
The New York ties run deep for Glenn. The current Lions DC started his playing career with the Jets as a 1994 first-round pick, playing eight seasons in New York and earning two Pro Bowl nods as a solid cornerback in Gang Green’s secondary. The Jets also gave Glenn a little bit of a taste on the executive side, hiring him as a personnel scout in 2012, staying through 2013.
Add in the fact that Glenn interviewed with the Jets in 2021 for the head coaching position and reportedly has interest in the Jets’ gig and it makes him a more-than viable candidate for the position.
Glenn has risen the ranks as a coach and has become one of the more respected coordinators in football among his players, according to a 2024 NFLPA survey. That, coupled with Glenn’s improving defenses at the NFL level could make him a top candidate and potential top target for the Jets.
Brian Flores
Current position: Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator
Head coaching record: 24-25
Flores will be a hot coaching candidate this cycle after his work with the Vikings defense. Could a return to the AFC East be in the cards?
While the Jets would benefit from focusing on a coach on the offensive side of the ball, Flores has rebuilt his stock as an NFL head coaching candidate with Minnesota’s top-five ranked unit this year. His public breakup with the Dolphins (and specifically quarterback Tua Tagovailoa) still is something of a red mark on his ledger, as is his subpar offenses in Miami.
Still, Flores as a part of Kevin O’Connell’s staff could potentially provide optimism that he could build a better offensive staff this time around.
Matt Nagy
Current position: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator
Head coaching record: 34-31
There’s some doubt over whether or not Nagy would be a sensical hire given his tumultuous Bears tenure and the lack of true progress from quarterbacks Justin Fields and Mitchell Trubisky with him.
That said, if the Jets are looking for offensive capabilities and head coaching experience, then Nagy would make sense. Plus, Andy Reid’s coaching tree traditionally bears good fruit.
The Jets have previous ties with Nagy, attempting to hire him as offensive coordinator during Todd Bowles staff hiring process in 2016. The Chiefs blocked the move, however, and the Jets have continued their revolving door at offensive coordinator ever since.
Maybe a do-over for Nagy would do well for the former head coach.
Todd Monken
Current position: Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
Head coaching record: N/A
Monken has helped propel MVP-winner Lamar Jackson to new heights in his two years at the offensive helm in Baltimore, guiding Jackson to his second MVP – and potentially his third – in an incredibly fruitful partnership.
While Baltimore’s offense is loaded with skill talent, Monken has put the chess pieces in place with his ability to scheme wide receivers open to run the offense at peak efficiency.
Coincidentally, it wouldn’t be Monken’s first visit to Florham Park. Then the Buccaneers OC, Monken interviewed with the Jets in 2019 for the vacant head coaching position before it ultimately went to Adam Gase.
Monken’s offenses with Baltimore have been among the best in football, building on an already solid NFL résumé. The Jets could turn to Monken to refresh an offense that’s been among the league’s worst, regardless of personnel, for over a decade.
Kliff Kingsbury
Current position: Washington Commanders offensive coordinator
Head coaching record: 28-37
Consider most of this list a mulligan for Jets brass over prior coaching searches.
Kingsbury was a candidate for the Jets gig in 2019 prior to the hiring of Gase. Reports indicated that Kingsbury was down to the Jets and the Cardinals before Arizona swooped in and inked him to a deal.
While Kingsbury’s stay in Arizona ultimately didn’t go as planned, his second NFL opportunity as the offensive coordinator of the Commanders has been exceptional. That could lead him to be a one-and-done as OC if he gets intriguing head coaching opportunities.
The former Jets backup quarterback has been able to turn rookie Jayden Daniels into a star passer. Whether the Jets decide to take a new quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft or down the road, they’ll have to address the position at some point, and his work with Daniels provides optimism that he could potentially help nurture a quarterback to solve New York’s decades-old quarterback conundrum.
Others
The Jets will reportedly interview Rex Ryan in the coming week. Could a reunion be on the horizon? Ryan hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2018 and missed the playoffs with the Jets in his final four seasons at the helm. Nostalgia is a powerful drug, however, and owner Woody Johnson could look to turn back the clock to recapture lightning in a bottle.
Could Mike McCarthy be an option? The Cowboy coach’s future in Dallas is murky, and the Jets previously interviewed McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy before settling on Gase in 2019.
Brian Daboll might not have to move far, if at all, if the Giants decide to move on from him following Week 18. Daboll is also familiar with the Jets’ facility, operating as the team’s quarterbacks coach between 2007 and 2008.
Jets head coach interviews
Already, the Jets have confirmed to have interviewed several head coaching candidates before the end of the season:
Mike Vrabel, former Tennessee Titans head coach
Ron Rivera, former Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers head coach
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