NY Jets' Aaron Glenn decision looks even better as rumored backup plans emerge

The NY Jets have officially turned the page from the last cursed era of football, hiring former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Denver Broncos assistant general manager Darren Mougey to be their new head coach and general manager, respectively.

All seven teams who had head coach vacancies had some degree of interest in Glenn, who decided to accept the challenge of fixing his former team. The franchise that gave the Jets the most competition for Glenn's services was the New Orleans Saints, who still have not decided on who will replace Dennis Allen.

The Jets may have ended up in the best possible timeline by hiring Glenn. Per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Jets' future if Glenn chose the Saints over them was just about as bleak as one could imagine.

According to Breer, had Glenn ended up in New Orleans, the Jets would have pivoted to one of three very uninspiring names. It seemed like Broncos DC Vance Joseph, Packers DC Jeff Hafley, and Steelers OC Arthur Smith were in the running for the job, while names like Brian Flores and Joe Brady fell by the wayside.

Vance Joseph, Arthur Smith were Jets' Aaron Glenn backup plans

Joseph had helped revitalize the Denver defense, but he had previously put two wholly uninspiring seasons as Broncos head coach on his ledger. Joseph's defense may have ranked higher than Glenn's, but his past showing in Denver shows more tangible proof he is unable to create a high-powered offense.

Smith, like Joseph, was let down in Atlanta by poor quarterback play during three 7-10 seasons. However, he has an offensive background, which made his poor performances on that end even more startling. Smith, who made his name next to Derrick Henry in Tennessee, did improve Pittsburgh's offense, but not enough to get head coach looks.

Hafley helped turn the Packers into a top-10 defense this season, but his first year in Green Bay was his only past NFL coordinating experience. He previously served as the head coach at Boston College, but he went 22-26 in four seasons in charge of the Eagles.

That is one long-winded way of saying the Jets, and their fans, should feel happy with Glenn as their next leader. Imagine the difference in vibes and the general feeling among the fanbase if Smith or Hafley had stumbled through a press conference and were naively ripped apart by the media.

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