What Jets HC Aaron Glenn Must Do to Save His Job

Aaron Glenn got a rude awakening to life as the head coach of the New York Jets, starting off the season 0-7 before eventually finishing at the bottom of the AFC East with a 3-14 record.

While the results last year were dismal, there is reason to hope that New York will look better in the upcoming season, even if it's not ready to compete with the Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots for supremacy in the division.

The Jets selected three picks in the first round of April’s draft. Defensive end David Bailey should help the pass-rush for the upcoming season. Tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. will team up with veteran Garrett Wilson to give quarterback Geno Smith some playmakers to throw to this fall.

More News: Texas HC Steve Sarkisian Slams Ole Miss for ‘Basket Weaving' Degree

More News:Cardinals Must Play Carson Beck Sooner Rather Than Later

In addition to the three picks made in the first round this year, New York has three more to use in the first round of the 2027 draft, which is expected to be heavy on quarterback talent.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes Glenn doesn’t need to get to a certain number of wins or push for the playoffs to keep his job in 2027. Glenn needs to prove the Jets are trending upward and he’s capable of developing the young talent on the roster.

“What I think Glenn needs to do, ahead of what should be a franchise-shifting draft next year, is show that the arrow is pointing up on his program after all that attrition,” Breer wrote. “And showing that coming out of 2026, guys like Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. are coming together with guys such as Wilson, Fashanu and McDonald to form the kind of core that can support a young quarterback.

“Maybe that's in a seven-win season. Maybe it's in a 5–12 season that ends in a four-game winning streak. Either way, I think ownership wants to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

To put it simply, the Jets are rebuilding, something they had to do after the experiment with Aaron Rodgers failed.

Glenn didn’t do a good job with the team he had last season, but he deserves some grace being a first-time head coach. In Year 2, the Jets need to look like a team with promise.

For more on the Jets and the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM.