Saints target Glenn leaves Jets meeting without deal

By Ross Jackson

The race for one of this year’s coaching cycle darlings continues. At least for now.

The New York Jets hosted Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn for an in-person interview on Tuesday with the intent of trying to get a deal done to hire him as their next head coach. However, per multiple reports, the deal did not get done.

However, it seems that conversations have not necessarily concluded even though Glenn has left the Jets facility for the day, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Commanders assistant GM Lance Newark, both of whom interviewed in person today with the Jets, have left the team’s training facility, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2025

If a deal does not get reached in the coming days, that would mean that Glenn’s visit with the New Orleans Saints, which is currently being rescheduled due to a rare snowstorm in Louisiana, could still be on.

Not only did Glenn reportedly leave without a deal, but so too did Washington Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark, who is a key element connecting Glenn to the Jets. Newmark was a longtime Lions executive and has been rumored to be a general manager candidate in New York that Glenn would like to be paired alongside. That is an element that makes New York a unique opportunity for the defensive coordinator.

The Saints have been keen on Glenn for some time and for obvious reasons. His leadership style as a former player is appealing, players and coaches around him love working with him, he spent time as the Saints’ defensive backs coach from 2016 through 2020 and perhaps his most desirable experience came from his 2012 and 2013 stints as the general manager of an indoor football league team, the Houston Stallions and as a personnel scout for the Jets.

There are not many head coach candidates that possess player, coaching and scouting experience. But Glenn does, and that is a big part of what has made him a top candidate in this year’s coaching cycle.

While Glenn has left the facility without a deal getting done, Saints fans hoping for him to be the Saints’ next head coach shouldn’t take a victory lap just yet. A deal could still get done and New Orleans still needs to get him to their facility for an interview. Especially with reports that the Jets have begun to inform other candidates that they are going in a different direction, indicating a closing in on Glenn. 

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Lions DC Aaron Glenn spent the day with the #Jets, speaking to them about their HC job. Nothing is done. But nothing is wrong, either. pic.twitter.com/SQkrMnNIYd

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2025

Nothing is for certain at this time. But leaving without putting ink to paper is better for the Saints than the alternative.

If he remains available after leaving the Jets facility without a deal, the Saints have a real shot to land him as their next standard-bearer. But first, they’ll need to get him to New Orleans for his in-person interview.