The New York Jets appear to have zeroed in on their first choice to be their next head coach, and they're not planning on wasting an in-person opportunity.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is visiting the Jets on Tuesday, with the goal for New York being to not let him leave the building, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources.
Rapoport added that while the deal isn't done and there are still details to discuss, Glenn could be named the head coach by the end of the day if everything goes well.
This will be Glenn's second interview with the Jets, having completed a virtual meeting with the team in the midst of the Lions' playoff run. He had interview requests from six of the seven teams with a head coach vacancy and has second interviews scheduled with the Jets and Saints, with Glenn set to visit New Orleans next if Tuesday's interview doesn't lead to a hiring.
Glenn has a history with Gang Green, having been drafted by and playing for the team for eight of his 15 years in the league, making two Pro Bowls along his stay with the Jets. And once he moved into the world of coaching, his first NFL job came from New York, which hired him as a scout in 2012. Since then he has worked in the Browns, Saints, and Lions organizations, having coached Detroit's defense for the last four years.
While Glenn was among those who interviewed for open head coaching positions in last offseason's cycle, he ultimately returned to Detroit for the 2024 season, where his navigation of the Lions' unprecedented injury woes earned him significant praise from inside and outside the organization. The unit ranked No. 7 in scoring defense, allowing the second-lowest completion percentage (61.1) and the lowest passer rating (82.0) in the league, while also finishing fifth in rushing yards allowed per game (98.4) en route to the team's 15-2 record and NFC North title.
If Glenn does officially become the next head coach for the Jets, either Tuesday or at a later date, he will inherit a team that finds itself at a crossroads, with decisions needing to be made about Aaron Rodgers and some of their young talent in the quest to get New York back into contention.
The hiring of a general manager, a selection that has not yet been made but has involved 15 interviews so far, will likely be the next domino to fall.
