By Eddie Castro
This past Monday, the New York Jets introduced Aaron Glenn alongside Darren Mougey as the team’s next Head Coach and General Manager at the practice facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. Glenn was drafted by the Jets in the 1994 draft and played for the team until 2001.
He has had many stops as far as coaching experience goes, but his recent time as the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator is where he found success and became a hot name on the coaching market.
It ultimately helped him land his first head coaching job. Glenn hopes to bring a winning culture and end the Jets’ 14-year playoff drought which currently stands as the longest drought in all the four major sports.
Glenn had interviewed for a few other head coaching vacancies but informed the media during his introduction press conference that he wanted the Jets job.
“I didn’t want to leave the building without shaking Woody Johnson (Jets owner) hand and make sure we had a contract.” Glenn gave a fiery speech in front of the media and current Jets’ players indicating that he intends to change the culture. “We’re the New York freaking Jets. We’re built for this (expletive).”
As for GM Darren Mougey, the Jets have shown interest in him for some time. For the past few years, he has had a number of teams show interest in his services, but elected to stay with the Denver Broncos front office.
Mougey had been with the Broncos since 2012 and quickly climbed up the ranks during his tenure there. He was with the team when they won Super Bowl 50. He also has quite the Super Bowl connection as three of the head coaches he has worked with appeared in the Super Bowl: Sean Payton, John Fox and Gary Kubiak.
Mougey along with Glenn will try to stop Jets fans from pulling out their hair every year and put together a winning season. Woody Johnson went on to say this about Mougey “He is a proven talent evaluator who impressed us with his vision for this team. His partnership with coach (Aaron) Glenn will revitalize this organization.”
With a new Head Coach/General Manager now in place in New York, there are many big decisions the duo will have to face in what will now be considered a crucial off-season.
The future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will probably be the biggest decision of all. Rodgers is under contract with the Jets for the 2025 season, but has mulled the decision whether he intends to even play in 2025. If so, it is not a sure thing that it will be with the Jets. Rodgers is 41-years old and will be coming off an un-Rodgers-like season.
The decision on whether he comes back in a jets’ uniform will most likely be determined on who Glenn appoints as his offensive coordinator. Another storyline that could grab headlines will revolve around wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Wilson will be eligible for a contract extension heading into the final year of his rookie contract. His first three seasons, Wilson has gone over 1,000 receiving yards each year.
The team currently has over $30 million dollars in cap space and it’s more than likely that number will increase with a few roster moves. They also hold the No.7 pick in this Year’s draft. It will be interesting to see what will be the first move Mougey and Glenn decide to collective make as they begin the process of turning this organization around.
This off-season could by far be the most important for the team in the franchises history. As Glenn said in his introduction for Jets fans, “Put your seat belt on and get ready for the ride.” For the Jets, he did well as a player and a scout, now we get to see if Aaron Glenn can get it done as a Head coach.
Sports Notes: (Basketball) The Brooklyn Nets will head to Houston to battle Jalen Green and the Rockets. Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks welcome LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.