The New York Jets brought in Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for an in-person interview, his second with the team, on Tuesday.
The 52-year-old is believed to be the overwhelming favorite for the Jets’ job, with multiple reports suggesting that the team would have a deal agreed upon before he even left the building.
Glenn was originally scheduled to interview with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, but severe weather in the area has pushed it bac.
He is available to hire sooner than expected after the Washington Commanders upset his Lions in the NFC Divisional Round. Detroit went 15-2 in the regular season, and its explosive offense was supported by a top-10-worthy unit that Glenn helped build.
However, a slew of injuries ultimately derailed the Lions’ season much earlier than expected, as Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels gashed the defense open.
The 45-31 loss should have very little to sway owner Woody Johnson’s view of Glenn, who spent eight years with the Jets from 1994 to 2001 as a shutdown cornerback.
His ties with the team have created overwhelming speculation that MetLife Stadium is his No. 1 preferred destination. The fact that he chose his former team for his first in-person visit only strengthens such notions.
The Jets’ strong interest in Glenn is not so cut and dry, though. Even if he is the team’s No. 1 choice to take over as head coach, the Jets are also in the process of hiring a new general manager.
Would they have to wait until a new GM is in place, who in turn would help give the green light on Glenn or any other coaching hire? Or will accepting Glenn as the team’s head coach be a prerequisite for hiring?
As of Monday, Johnson and The 33rd Team—an analytics company overseeing both searches—had interviewed 13 potential GM candidates.
