Aaron Glenn‘s first year as an NFL head coach has certainly not gone according to plan. He is set to remain in place for 2026, however. 
The Jets will retain Glenn for next season, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network write. His job security has been a talking point for several weeks, but the most recent indications have been that Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will be safe. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones adds owner Woody Johnson wants to evaluate the current HC-GM tandem with a better quarterback situation in place.
The Justin Fields signing proved to be a misstep leading up to the decision to bench him. Fields’ time in New York is likely nearing an end, and the Jets have already done homework on some of the top quarterback prospects for 2026. With five first-round picks across the next two years, acquiring a new passer will certainly be feasible.
The Jets have undergone plenty of changes in recent years, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes (subscription required) Johnson is still “committed” to Glenn’s organizational plan at this point. Improvements in 2026 will be sought out, though the current decision-making group will remain intact. Certain changes – including a full-time replacement for Steve Wilks at the defensive coordinator spot – will become the focus of the hiring cycle as it plays out.
After a four-year run guiding the Lions’ defense, Glenn took his first head coaching gig by joining the Jets. Entering Sunday’s action, the team sits at 3-13 amidst struggles on multiple fronts. Drafting a passer along with making moves to replace Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner – who were both traded away at the deadline – will be key priorities over the course of the spring. As Gary Myers of 880 ESPN New York notes, Glenn has another four years remaining on his contract at a rate of $10MM per year. Nonetheless, a notable step forward will no doubt be expected during his second season at the helm to avoid further talks of a dismissal.
Johnson has drawn criticism on a number of fronts during his tenure. That includes the selection process for many of his coaching and GM hires, although he has consulted outside voices on many occasions. An interview with two NFL executives and one local insider from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reveals that Johnson received a recommendation from Peyton Manning to hire Adam Gase in 2019. During last year’s interview process, ex-Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was among those sought out as contributors. Johnson is positioned to rely on the status quo in that capacity for 2026, however.