The New York Jets are clearly in evaluation mode - and after a 3-14 season that saw their offense sputter from start to finish, it’s not hard to see why. According to multiple reports, the Jets, under new head coach Aaron Glenn, reached out to former Raiders and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden about joining the staff in an offensive role. Gruden, however, declined the offer.
This move - or attempted move - signals something important: the Jets know they need experience and innovation on the offensive side of the ball. After parting ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand earlier this week, the initial plan was to keep him on board while bringing in a veteran voice to call plays in 2026. That plan has now shifted, and the search for offensive leadership is wide open.
The numbers paint a grim picture of just how much help the Jets need. Justin Fields, brought in with hopes of unlocking his athletic upside, struggled mightily behind a shaky offensive line.
His 11.7% sack rate led the league before he was eventually benched midseason. Even with veteran Tyrod Taylor stepping in, the offense couldn’t find its footing.
The Jets averaged just 140.3 passing yards per game - the second-lowest mark by any team in the last five seasons, only ahead of the 2022 Bears.
That kind of inefficiency doesn’t just cost games - it stalls development, kills momentum, and puts stress on the entire roster. Glenn knows that. And while he’s a defensive-minded coach, he’s clearly prioritizing offensive reinforcements in year two of his tenure.
Gruden, for his part, has stayed mostly out of the NFL spotlight since resigning from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. In a 2024 interview, he spoke about spending his time studying film and mentoring players privately. While he’s expressed a desire to return to coaching - and even worked as a consultant with the Saints in 2023 - he’s yet to take on an official role since his departure from Las Vegas.
His résumé speaks for itself. Gruden first made his mark with the Oakland Raiders in 1998, going 38-26 over four seasons and winning two AFC West titles. He later led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory in 2002 and made two more playoff appearances during his seven-year run in Tampa.
For the Jets, reaching out to someone like Gruden shows they’re not just looking to plug holes - they’re trying to build something sustainable. Whether they land a big-name veteran or go with a rising offensive mind, one thing is clear: the offense has to be better. And with Glenn leading the charge, the search for the right fit is officially underway.