Jon Gruden Shuts Down Jets Rumors: “There Was Never Anything”
Jon Gruden is once again at the center of NFL chatter - but this time, he’s setting the record straight.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach and current Barstool Sports contributor addressed recent rumors linking him to the New York Jets’ coaching staff. Specifically, there was buzz that the Jets had reached out to Gruden about potentially joining Aaron Glenn’s staff ahead of the 2026 season. According to Gruden, though, that talk is completely off base.
“There’s a lot of stupid rumors out there. Some of these reports are ridiculous,” Gruden said during a radio appearance on 95.3 WDAE in Tampa. “Let’s just say there was never anything from the Jets, and I wish them well in their search for a new offensive coordinator.”
That’s about as direct as it gets.
The speculation kicked off on January 28, when a report surfaced suggesting the Jets had contacted Gruden about a possible role on Glenn’s staff. According to that report, while the team floated the idea, Gruden wasn’t interested in the job. No details were given about what specific position was discussed.
Gruden, 62, hasn’t coached in the NFL since stepping down from his role with the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2021 season. That resignation came after leaked emails revealed offensive language dating back to his time as an ESPN analyst. Since then, he’s remained on the league’s periphery - consulting unofficially with the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and more recently creating content with Barstool.
Still, his name continues to pop up in coaching rumors. Ahead of the 2025 hiring cycle, NFL teams reportedly did “extensive homework” on Gruden, though nothing materialized. Whether that was due diligence or genuine interest remains unclear.
As for the Jets, they’re in the midst of building a new staff under first-time head coach Aaron Glenn. With Aaron Rodgers still under center and expectations high heading into 2026, the offensive coordinator hire will be a critical one. Gruden, by his own account, won’t be part of that equation.
For now, Gruden remains on the outside looking in - a high-profile name in coaching circles, but without a sideline to call home. Whether that ever changes is still anyone’s guess.