Former GM sounds alarms about Jets HC Aaron Glenn after disastrous first season

For better or for worse, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson continues to trust that Aaron Glenn is the right man to help the franchise enjoy a turnaround after Glenn finished his first season as the club's head coach with a record of 3-14. 

For a piece published on Tuesday, Jets reporter Rich Cimini of ESPN spoke with "a former general manager with four decades in personnel" who "rates coaches and executives based on their big decisions." That general manager didn't offer Glenn a ringing endorsement. 

Jets players looked like "they didn't want to be there" during Aaron Glenn's first season in charge?

"He did nothing with the culture," that former GM said about Glenn's impact on the Jets. "He talked about swagger and toughness, but I didn't see any of that. They played like a bunch of guys punching time clocks; they didn't want to be there."

That GM criticized Glenn for the Jets moving on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers last offseason and for the hiring of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Per at least one report, Jets general manager Darren Mougey "wanted to keep Rodgers," while Glenn allegedly "wanted to move on" from the future Hall of Famer. 

In the end, Jets 2025 Week 1 QB1 Justin Fields ended the campaign as a benched spectator. He likely has played his final game as a member of the organization. Meanwhile, Glenn relieved Wilks of his duties in December. 

On Monday evening, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY reported that things were "progressing between the Jets" and former Indianapolis Colts/Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich for Reich to ultimately serve as the Jets' new offensive play-caller. Current Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand may stay with the club in a yet-to-be-determined role. 

Is Aaron Glenn on the hot seat after one season? 

Cimini mentioned that a source "familiar with" Johnson's thinking said Glenn is "Woody's guy." However, former Jets safety Victor Green is among people with ties to the franchise who think Glenn's seat is already quite warm. 

"The season was a disaster, to say the least, but I believe in A.G. and a lot of the players I've spoken to love A.G. and the passion, the energy that he brings," Green told Cimini. "He didn't have a lot to work with. That's no fault of his -- that's what he inherited -- but it's his train now. It's going to be up to him to fix [it]. He's got another year. If this season is the same, I don't think that Woody will give him another opportunity."

The Jets acquired assets for cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams this past fall. Additionally, Gang Green may have to settle for a Band-Aid option at quarterback for the 2026 campaign. In short, the Jets seemingly aren't one offseason away from having even a middle-of-the-road roster that could potentially be coached up by Glenn.