Jets' official list of DC candidates exposes harsh truth about coaching search

The New York Jets officially announced Friday that they’ve completed the first round of interviews for their vacant defensive coordinator position, revealing a list of eight candidates after days of silence from the organization.

The eight candidates include Miami Dolphins cornerbacks coach Mathieu Araujo, Cleveland Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Green Bay Packers defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington, Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, Denver Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Jets defensive backs coach Chris Harris, and Detroit Lions defensive assistant Jim O'Neil.

On the surface, the list features a competent group that spans NFL assistants, former coordinators, and a familiar internal option. However, it also quietly exposes the harsher reality that this is not a particularly attractive job opening right now.

That’s not an indictment of effort or intent. It’s moreso a reflection of the circumstances the Jets find themselves in.

Aaron Glenn is entering 2026 on a very short leash and with a defense that lacks really any long-term building blocks. The Jets are trying to sell uncertainty to prospective candidates. Stability and talent are important in coordinator searches — and the Jets can’t offer much of either right now.

The Jets' list of defensive coordinator candidates is expectedly underwhelming

Unfortunately, their candidate pool reflects that. There are some legitimate names here. Martindale brings extensive NFL experience. Covington has recent DC experience in New England. Jones is widely viewed as Brian Flores’ right-hand man and a future coordinator. O'Neil and Harris add familiarity with Glenn and the organization.

But just as telling as who is on the list is who isn’t. There are virtually no top-tier, in-demand defensive coordinators coming into Florham Park for interviews. That’s because candidates of that caliber typically avoid situations like the one the Jets are currently in.

Leonhard stands out as the lone exception to that rule. A former Jet with ties to Glenn and a stellar resume, Leonhard is widely viewed as a strong candidate for more attractive openings around the league. There's a very strong chance he takes another job, quite possibly with the New York Giants.

Martindale, meanwhile, makes sense for the Jets in theory. He’s proven, available, and likely doesn’t have a robust market. But his blitz-heavy philosophy clashes with what was already a major issue for the Jets last season, and there are legitimate questions about scheme fit and adaptability, even before factoring in personality concerns.

This isn’t a bad list in a vacuum, but it is underwhelming, and that’s likely the best the Jets can do right now. If they’re able to land a high-end candidate like Leonhard or Jones, it would be a major win.

The longer this process drags on, though, the more it feels like the Jets may ultimately have to settle for a mid-tier option. That’s simply the reality of their current situation.