2 NY Jets head coach candidates emerging as clear favorites for the job

It has been a busy week and a half since the 2024 season ended for the NY Jets, as their general manager and head coach searches are in full swing. On Tuesday, the Jets finished their first round of GM interviews, with 15 known candidates.

However, the search for a head coach still has a long way to go, as the Jets haven't finished their first round of interviews with the 18 known candidates. A lot still needs to play out in the Jets coaching search but in the second week of this process, two names have begun to separate themselves from the rest.

On Monday, Jets insider Rich Cimini made an appearance on ESPN's Don, Hahn & Rosenburg and revealed that Aaron Glenn is "really interested in the Jets job" and considered Brian Flores as an "intriguing" candidate for New York. Cimini also noted Flores' previous experience as a head coach with the Dolphins.

Will the NY Jets hire either Aaron Glenn or Brian Flores?

Right now it certainly feels like the Jets are heading in the direction of Aaron Glenn or Brian Flores to take over the reigns of the franchise. Both of these candidates have gained significant momentum toward the Jets job over the last few days after the Patriots hired Mike Vrabel.

Aaron Glenn's history with the NY Jets is very well known from his playing days with the franchise, which lasted eight seasons. Glenn also worked as a personnel scout for the Jets from 2012-2013. The former Pro Bowler has become a very well-respected head coach candidate, drawing praise and connections from Bill Parcells, Sean Payton, and others.

Glenn's background also has ties with the Saints which seems to be the Jets' biggest threat in this hiring cycle. Glenn played one season with the Saints in 2008 and then followed that up with five seasons as a defensive backs coach from 2016 to 2020.

If the Jets choose to go the experienced route, Brian Flores could be the hire. Flores spent three seasons at the helm with the Dolphins finishing with a 24-25 record. Since that stint, Flores spent a season under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and the last two seasons in Minnesota as the defensive coordinator.

Flores' potential GM and staff pairings have already been rumored and seem likely if this is the route New York chooses to take. Former Colts GM and current Senior VP of Player Personnel for the Vikings, Ryan Grigson has been a rumored Jets GM candidate.

Along with this, former Jets QB Josh McCown, who is currently the quarterback coach for the Vikings could become the new offensive coordinator.

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