How would the Jets have fared if they had hired a different head coach in 2025?

Through eight games of the 2026 season, Aaron Glenn has all but proved he's in over his head as head coach of the New York Jets. His 5-20 record over the last year and a half is one of the worst starts in franchise history, and it's more than likely his tenure will come to an end at season's end.

But don't let revisionist history fool you. Glenn was one of the top coaching candidates in the 2025 hiring cycle, and there was a legitimate reason for excitement when the Jets landed on him as their head coach.

However... how would the Jets have fared if they had gone in a different direction than Glenn? Of the 17 other candidates they interviewed, how many of them would have Gang Green in a better position than they are right now?

Which 2025 coaching candidates would the New York Jets have been better off with?

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator

Now the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Joe Brady has been a productive coach at nearly every stop of his NFL career, except for a failed stint with the Carolina Panthers. Of course, it helps to have Josh Allen as your quarterback, but it's unclear how Brady would fare with the Jets without a superhuman under center.

Verdict: Tough to say without the Josh Allen factor

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator

Two years later, the Jets will likely have another opportunity to interview Brian Flores at season's end. The former Miami Dolphins head coach always struggled to build a staff, but one thing is for sure: you can bet New York's defense would be a heck of a lot better right now if Flores were calling the shots.

Verdict: Better off

Brian Griese, San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach

The former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst turned quarterbacks coach has been a key presence for Brock Purdy since entering the league, but it remains unclear how important he is when Kyle Shanahan is leading the way. Before Griese actually gets a head coaching shot, he should probably at least call plays first.

Verdict: Worse off

Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator

Vance Joseph is an incredible defensive coach. The Denver Broncos' defense has been a top unit ever since he made his return to Mile High as Sean Payton's defensive coordinator. As a head coach? Not so much. His record of 11-21 leaves a lot to be desired.

Verdict: Worse off

Josh McCown, Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach

The former Jets quarterback was a hot name during the 2025 hiring cycle, fresh off an electric season helping coach up Sam Darnold. However, in the two seasons since, Josh McCown has struggled to get J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray on the right track. He likely wouldn't have done much better with New York's signal callers.

Verdict: Worse off

Matt Nagy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator

Matt Nagy was a name no fan has wanted to hear over the last two hiring cycles, but in his new digs as offensive coordinator of the New York Giants, his case is stronger. He has McCarthy playing well and is keeping a Big Blue offense afloat that has dealt with some major injuries. He may deserve another head coaching shot at some point.

Verdict: Probably the same

Ron Rivera, former NFL head coach

The former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders head honcho was a good head coach a long time ago, but his recent resume has left a lot to be desired. As the coach in Washington, he had one playoff appearance and a 26-40 record. The Jets were better off passing here.

Verdict: Worse off

Rex Ryan, former NFL head coach

It's so hard to say how one of the most beloved figures in recent Jets history would've fared on his second go-around in New York. Would he have brought the energy up another level? Maybe. But what would his staff have looked like? Who would've been the offensive coordinator? Rex has been out of the league far too long to know for sure.

Verdict: Probably the same

Bobby Slowik, Houston Texans offensive coordinator

Bobby Slowik fell from grace fairly hard after his first two years on the job in Houston. He got most of the blame for C.J. Stroud's struggles, but has managed to start building up his stock again by getting the most out of a talent-deficient Miami Dolphins offense. That doesn't necessarily mean he would've been a good head coach.

Verdict: Worse off

Arthur Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator

Arthur Smith, who now finds himself in the college ranks as the offensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, will probably find himself back in the NFL at some point, but it's fair to say he would've been an uninspiring hire. In three seasons in charge of the Atlanta Falcons, he never failed to record a 7-10 record.

Verdict: Slightly better at 7-10?

Steve Spagnuolo, Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator

One of the best defensive minds in all of the NFL has been waiting for another head coaching opportunity since 2011, but Steve Spagnuolo's 11-41 record as the St. Louis Rams head coach raises some more questions. Some guys are just better off as defensive coordinators. Sure, the Jets' defense might be a better unit right now, but that's likely about it.

Verdict: Probably the same

Jeff Ulbrich, New York Jets interim head coach

As the interim coach of the Jets in 2024, Ulbrich clearly bit off more than he could chew by handling defensive play-calling responsibilities while trying to hold the team together. He's since coached up a pretty good defense in Atlanta, but he was obviously a bit in over his head as a head coach.

Verdict: Worse off

Mike Vrabel, former NFL head coach

In a perfect world, the Jets don't let Mike Vrabel out of the building when he came in to visit with them towards the end of the 2024 season. It was clearly a leverage play to force the New England Patriots' hand, and it worked. Vrabel instantly spearheaded a Patriots turnaround, leading them to the Super Bowl in his first season on the job.

Verdict: Better off

Darren Rizzi, New Orleans Saints interim head coach

Darren Rizzi impressed in his short stint as an interim head coach of the New Orleans Saints, going 3-5 to close out the 2024 season. His ties to New Jersey made him a hometown favorite, but he ended up in Denver coaching Sean Payton's special teams. It's doubtful he would've fared much better as the head coach in New York.

Verdict: Worse off

Mike Locksley, University of Maryland head coach

This was always an absolutely hilarious interview. It was clearly a favor for an agent to get his name in the mix for some head coaching interviews. Mike Locksley ended up getting fired just this past year.

Verdict: Worse off

Joe Whitt Jr., Washington Commanders defensive coordinator

When the Jets interviewed Joe Whitt Jr., he was fresh off coaching the Washington Commanders' defense to the NFC Championship Game. Since then, he's been fired and now serves as an associate head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. New York was better off passing.

Verdict: Worse off

Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator

This is one where the Jets could've tried to be a year early on a hire. Jeff Hafley did a great job with the Green Bay Packers defense, and it earned him the head coaching job in Miami. Halfway through his first year on the job, the Dolphins are 1-6, but they're well-coached, and they play really hard for Hafley. They always seem to punch above their weight class.

Verdict: Better off

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