Aaron Glenn is heading into a pivotal year as head coach of the New York Jets - and he knows it. After a rough 3-14 debut season, the pressure is on to show real progress in 2026.
While ownership, particularly Woody Johnson, is still backing Glenn publicly, the fanbase is hungry for change. That urgency is already showing in the staff shakeups happening behind the scenes.
In recent days, Glenn has parted ways with several assistant coaches, signaling a clear desire to reset the tone in the building. One of the biggest moves on the horizon is the search for a new defensive coordinator, with Don “Wink” Martindale emerging as a top candidate. Martindale, known for his aggressive, blitz-heavy schemes, would bring a veteran presence and a clear identity to a defense that lacked consistency last season.
But the more eye-catching development is on the offensive side of the ball - and it could define Glenn’s tenure in New York. Former NFL head coach Frank Reich is being considered for a major role, potentially as the veteran play-caller. That creates an immediate question mark around current offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, whose role would become murky if Reich steps in to call plays.
Bringing in Reich would be a bold swing. He’s a well-known name in league circles, with a Super Bowl ring from his time as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator (albeit in a non-play-calling role) and a mixed track record as a head coach. His run in Indianapolis from 2018 to 2022 had its moments, but things unraveled quickly in Carolina.
Reich’s 2025 season with the Panthers was, frankly, a disaster. He was let go after a 1-10 start, making him the first head coach in NFL history to be fired midseason in back-to-back years.
His offense struggled mightily - ranking near the bottom of the league in sacks allowed - and rookie quarterback Bryce Young never found his footing under Reich’s guidance. The Panthers’ offense couldn’t protect the quarterback, couldn’t stretch the field, and couldn’t develop their franchise passer.
That’s a tough résumé to bring into a situation where the Jets are still trying to figure out their own offensive identity.
Still, Reich’s experience - both as a head coach and coordinator - is hard to ignore. For Glenn, who’s trying to stabilize a franchise that’s been spinning its wheels for years, adding a steady, veteran voice like Reich could be the kind of high-risk, high-reward move that either sparks a turnaround or accelerates the clock on a coaching change.
Make no mistake: Glenn is betting on himself this offseason. The decisions he makes in the coming weeks - particularly around his coordinators - will shape the Jets’ identity heading into 2026.
Bringing in Reich might raise eyebrows, but it also signals that Glenn isn’t playing it safe. He’s swinging big, and in the NFL, that’s sometimes the only way to stay in the game.