Jets Contract Talks with Aaron Glenn Pause Tuesday

The New York Jets are circling the wagons on a new head coach and general manager in the form of Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn and Commanders Assistant General Manager Lance Newmark. After nearly an entire day of negotiations, Glenn and Newmark both left the building Tuesday night, but, according to reports it does not mean the deal is dead. 

Both sides are still talking.

Aaron Glenn - Getty Images.

Something could be in the offing coming Wednesday. 

According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, Glenn flew back to Detroit on Woody Johnson's plane, and an offer was made, and the job is Glenn's if he wants it. 

Schultz further reports that Glenn's staff could include former Jaguars quarterback, and current Lions quarterback coach Mark Brunnell as Offensive Coordinator, and the return of former Jets Special Teams Coach Mike Westhoff. 

SNY's Connor Hughes also Tweeted on X that Jets fans shouldn't overreact to Glenn and Newmark leaving the building; adding that ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh also left the building after a long night of negotiating on his second interview.

It is believed that Glenn and Newmark will ultimately land in New York. It was reported earlier Tuesday night that the Jets were informing other candidates that they are going in another direction, and Glenn would be their guy.  

Since Mike Vrabel went to the New England Patriots, Glenn shot up the Jets wish list, and one can see why. Not only is he a former Jets cornerback, but he's risen up the ranks as an assistant coach over the last decade. His experience both as a scout and coach is invaluable. Not to mention he is highly sought after in this year's market. 

Should the Jets not sign Glenn, the New Orleans Saints are scheduled to interview him sometime this week. The Dallas Cowboys also expressed interest. 

As for Newmark, he had a 26-year run with the Detroit Lions in their front office, both as a scout and in player personnel. He landed with the Washington Commanders this season, helping to build a team that got to the NFC Championship game. 

Newmark and Glenn crossed paths in Detroit and know each other, hence the packaged deal. 

JETS FANS: 

Even with Glenn's pending hire, it hasn't stopped Jets fans from being split on his hire. A number of fans have been quiet harsh about Glenn's chances, some even rooting for his failure, or bemoaning the Jets for hiring another Defensive Coordinator as a Head Coach. 

Some have even called Glenn "Saleh 2.0." However, if you look at the resume, and listen to those who know Glenn the best, he's hardly a Robert Saleh clone.  Yes, he's a D-Coordinator by trade, and yes, he will be a first time head coach, but it's not like the market was blistering with quality former Head Coaches. 

Mike McCarthy didn't hit the market until last week. By then the Jets had pretty much completed their first round interviews. McCarthy did interviewed for the Jets job back in 2019 and lost out to Adam Gase of all people. 

McCarthy had been linked to the Bears and Saints; the Jets were never mentioned. Perhaps either side wasn't interested in the other. 

Outside of McCarthy: Brian Flores, Arthur Smith and Matt Nagy are all notable former head coaches, but none of them had a lot of success the first go-round.

 Pete Carroll? Well, even at a spry 73, only the Las Vegas Raiders have been knocking at his door. Carroll was a great coach in Seattle, but he too, had a rough time with the Jets 30 years ago back in 1994. Why would he want a return? 

Jon Gruden? He's still suing the league over the email scandal.

In short, it wasn't a great pool to choose from. Glenn at least brings some familiarity, and his history in the Bill Parcells/Sean Payton coaching tree shouldn't be ignored.