Aaron Glenn’s Continued Role as Jets Head Coach

Aaron Glenn’s first year as an NFL head coach has not gone according to plan. Despite the challenges, he will remain in his position for the 2026 season. The decision to keep Glenn was confirmed by Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. His job security had been a topic of discussion for several weeks, but recent signals suggest that both Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey will stay on board.

CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones noted that owner Woody Johnson wants to evaluate the current head coach-general manager tandem with a better quarterback situation in place. This indicates that the Jets are looking for improvements in the coming seasons, even if it means making changes in other areas.

The Justin Fields Situation

The signing of Justin Fields turned out to be a misstep, leading to his eventual benching. It seems that Fields’ time with the Jets is coming to an end. The team has already conducted research on top quarterback prospects for the 2026 draft. With five first-round picks over the next two years, acquiring a new quarterback is a feasible goal.

Organizational Changes and Future Plans

The Jets have experienced numerous changes in recent years, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that Johnson remains committed to Glenn’s organizational plan for now. While improvements are expected in 2026, the current decision-making group will stay intact. However, certain changes, such as finding a full-time replacement for Steve Wilks at the defensive coordinator position, will become a priority during the hiring cycle.

Glenn took his first head coaching role with the Jets after guiding the Lions’ defense for four years. Entering Sunday’s game, the team is sitting at 3-13, facing challenges on multiple fronts. Drafting a quarterback and making moves to replace Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner—both traded away at the deadline—will be key priorities during the spring. As Gary Myers of 880 ESPN New York points out, Glenn has another four years remaining on his contract at a rate of $10 million per year. Nevertheless, a significant step forward during his second season is expected to avoid further discussions about his dismissal.

Woody Johnson’s Leadership and Hiring Process

Johnson has faced criticism for various aspects of his leadership, including the selection process for many of his coaching and GM hires. However, he has consulted outside voices on multiple occasions. An interview with two NFL executives and one local insider from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports revealed that Johnson received a recommendation from Peyton Manning to hire Adam Gase in 2019. During last year’s interview process, former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum was among those sought out as contributors.

For 2026, Johnson is positioned to rely on the status quo in terms of his decision-making approach. This suggests that the current strategy will continue, with potential adjustments made where necessary.