Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn Is Already on ‘Hottest Seat in the NFL'

Going into the 2026 NFL season, 10 teams have new head coaches. Perhaps surprisingly, the New York Jets are not one of them. Aaron Glenn survived his first season as Jets head coach, despite the team's 3-14 record. With a roster that will be bolstered with three first-round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft - and three more first-round picks slated for next spring - there is some reason for optimism. But will Glenn have the time to develop his young players?

At least one rival scout says the answer is no.

"Aaron Glenn kept his job, but this is arguably the hottest seat in the NFL," the scout told Athlon Sports. "And Frank Reich, his new offensive coordinator, could wind up as interim coach if the Jets don't start winning games. The pressure is real on Glenn."

Those comments appear in the Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview magazine, which is available online and at newsstands nationwide.

Glenn's disappointing debut was nothing new for the Jets. They've had at least 10 losses for six straight seasons and nine of the last 10. They haven't made the playoffs in 15 years - the longest postseason drought in the four major American sports.

Still, last season's performance was bad enough to at least consider firing Glenn after just one year. In a Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos in London, Glenn demonstrated extremely poor clock management. And considering his reputation as a defensive coach, it had to be embarrassing for Glenn that the Jets became the first team in NFL history to record 0 interceptions for the entire season.

So why the reason for optimism? Well, they've got a pair of proven offensive playmakers in running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson. They've drafted some promising offensive linemen in recent years. The 2026 rookie class features a potential game-wrecker in edge rusher David Bailey - the second overall pick - and a pair of key additions for the passing game, tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

While the pressure remains on Glenn to produce a winner, it seems as if general manager Darren Mougey- who was promoted to that position three days after Glenn was hired - has a longer leash. Mougey drew lots of praise for the Jets' 2026 draft, and league execs expect him to be creative with his three first-round picks in 2027 to somehow land a new franchise quarterback.

"Not so much pressure on general manager Darren Mougey," the scout said. "He has proven himself as a good drafter who has made some solid trades. … The Jets are well-positioned to capitalize on the 2027 quarterback crop with Geno Smith as the placeholder and not the long-term answer."

Entering his 14th NFL season, Smith began his career with the Jets (2013-16). He had a down year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025, but even after leading the NFL with 17 interceptions, Smith has a career TD-INT ratio of 124-89. Smith turns 36 in October, though, so nobody in the organization expects him to be the long-term answer.

Can Glenn be the long-term answer as head coach? The rival scout is correct in noting that the Jets have a suitable interim candidate in Frank Reich if needed. The veteran offensive coordinator was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-22 and the Carolina Panthers in 2023. At the very least, Reich can hold down the fort.

Related: Athlon Sports 2026 NFL Preview Magazine Now Available

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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 12:53 PM.