FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets’ search for an offensive savior has hit a high-profile roadblock. In an ambitious attempt to salvage a coaching tenure already on the brink, Head Coach Aaron Glenn reportedly reached out to former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden to join his staff for the 2026 season.
Gruden, however, said no.
According to reports first surfacing from The Athletic and confirmed by CBS Sports, the Jets contacted the 62-year-old former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach shortly after firing offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand on Tuesday. The inquiry marked one of the most aggressive moves yet by Glenn, who is overseeing a massive staff overhaul following a dismal 3-14 finish in his debut season.
While Gruden has been vocal about his desire to return to the NFL sideline—stating as recently as last summer that he is “working hard to maybe get one more shot”—his rejection of the Jets suggests that his ambition remains strictly tied to head coaching roles. Sources close to the situation indicate that despite being out of the league since his resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 amid an email scandal, Gruden was not interested in becoming an assistant, particularly for a franchise facing such steep uphill battles.
The rejection underscores the precarious position of the Jets organization. After the failed experiment with quarterback Justin Fields, who was benched mid-season during an 11.7% sack-rate campaign, the offense finished with the second-worst passing metrics in the league over the last five years. With Glenn’s job security heavily scrutinized and the roster in flux, the destination appears to be a hard sell even for coaches looking to rehabilitate their careers.
For Glenn, the “no” from Gruden forces a pivot back to other veteran options. The team has been linked to former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich, who fits the profile of the experienced play-caller Glenn is reportedly seeking to stabilize the unit. The Jets are under pressure to find a credible name to pair with a new quarterback solution, as the franchise looks to move on from the Fields era.
Gruden, meanwhile, remains a media personality at Barstool Sports. While his lawsuit against the NFL continues to play out in the courts, his decision to pass on New York clarifies that he is not desperate enough to take just any job to get back in the game.
For the Jets, the search continues, serving as a stark reminder of the reality facing Aaron Glenn: fixing the broken culture at One Jets Drive will require more than just big-name hunting. It will require finding someone willing to say “yes.”
