Report: Aaron Glenn Deemed 'Best Fit' as Insiders Feel Jets Want Offensive-Minded HC

ESPN's Rich Cimini reported Sunday that New York Jets officials have not made it clear what they are looking for in their next head coach after firing Robert Saleh during the 2024 season, which is notable since insiders have pointed to various candidates on both sides of the ball.

According to Cimini, some believe Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is "the best fit" in part because he is "regarded as an excellent leader and a very good tactician on defense."

However, others believe New York is searching for a head coach with an offensive background such as Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith.

Smith was a candidate during the 2021 coaching search as well before the Jets settled on Saleh, although Cimini pointed out team owner Woody Johnson wasn't a part of that process since he was the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Glenn should be no stranger to the Jets considering he played cornerback for the AFC East team for eight seasons from 1994 to 2001. He was a two-time Pro Bowler during that span and helped the franchise reach the playoffs twice.

He started his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2014 before he became the New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach for five seasons from 2016 to 2020.

Glenn has been the Lions defensive coordinator ever since and, alongside head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, has helped turn one of the league's traditionally worst franchises into a juggernaut contender.

Detroit reached the NFC Championship Game last season and enters this season's playoffs with the conference's No. 1 overall seed and a defense that finished seventh in the league in points allowed despite a number of injuries.

The Jets announced Thursday they completed an interview with Glenn, so he appears to be a serious candidate even if there are some who believe New York will ultimately look toward the offensive side of the ball this offseason.