A key lesson one learns in life is that it’s better to underpromise and over-deliver than to overpromise and under-deliver. The latter could be the perfect way to describe the 2024 New York Jets. 2022 saw the Jets get to 7-10 after winning only four games in 2021; fans were excited for the future of Robert Saleh’s team. However, the team jumped the gun to give Aaron Rodgers his “Tampa Tom” chapter in his career. On paper, it should have worked. But a Torn Achilles changed that. Now a diminished Rodgers leads an anemic offense and a defense that looks lost without Robert Saleh & Jermaine Johnson. In 2025, this team will have a lot of questions; with a new head coach on top of the list. The New York Jets will have options at the head coach position next year.
Leading the Way: Jets Head Coach Options for 2025
After Super Bowl aspirations quickly deflated this year, the New York Jets likely enter 2025 in the season hopefully beginning a rebuild. Thus far, a 2-6 record entering November was the worst scenario possible, exasperated by rushing a new head coach in Jeff Ulbrich after the questionable firing of Robert Saleh. Whoever takes this job, one should hope Aaron Rodgers desires to leave the sport behind. Aaron may desire to prove detractors wrong, too many missed opportunities on the field aren’t worth the off-the-field controversies. Father time has shown it can get ugly for star quarterbacks over 40 if you’re not named Tom Brady.
However, the future isn’t as bleak for the rest of the Jets roster. While they may lose Rodgers and Davante Adams, the team has long-term cap space after 2026. With 21 players heading into free agency, DJ Reed is the only one that remains a priority to re-sign. The defense has a future star duo at edge rusher in Jermaine Johnson and breakout player Will McDonald IV. The offense will still struggle, but a mobile quarterback can make the offensive line’s life easier. There were too many missed reads by Rodgers that could have been big plays if a QB with good pocket mobility was under center. Fortunately, there are a lot of offensive head coach options on the market to choose from.
Ben Johnson: Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
Ben Johnson is arguably the single biggest first-time head coach in the league right now. The up-and-coming 38-year-old offensive coordinator has been a key component in the reclamation of the Detroit Lions. Johnson has spent the past 12 seasons working in the league between the Miami Dolphins and Detroit Lions. When he was reunited with former Dolphins assistant & friend Dan Campbell, they worked together to build a top-five offense in the sport, leading to the Lions’ first playoff win since 1990. Working with quarterbacks like Ryan Tannehill, Matthew Stafford, and Jared Goff, Johnson has shown an ability to bring the best out of his offense. While there will be no shortage of suitors, one has to expect Woody Johnson to make a big push for him.
Bobby Slowik: Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator
While Ben Johnson is the big fish on the market, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is also a popular name. With the emergence of CJ Stroud in Houston, the 37-year-old coach has earned fans across the league. The son of veteran defensive coordinator Bob Slowik, Bobby was been a long-time assistant of Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. Spending six years on the 4ers staff, Slowik worked closely with both Jimmy Garroppolo and Brock Purdy. He also spent 5 seasons working as a defensive assistant, including two years working directly under then-defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. His experience on both sides of the ball makes him a very promising candidate and one of my favorite options for the job.
Todd Monken: Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator
Todd Monken is a more veteran name on this list but his career resurgence since 2020 has been impressive. A veteran college coach & coordinator, Monken returned to the NFL after leading Georgia’s offense to back-to-back National Championships. His arrival in Baltimore has been a massive benefit to Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback has been playing the best football of his career thanks to Monken’s revitalized passing game. At 58 years old, Monken hasn’t been a head coach since his tenure at Southern Miss over a decade ago. But with his recent college experience & the improvements in Baltimore’s offense, this might be enough to get him his first head coaching job.
Aaron Glenn: Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator
Ben Johnson would be a great coach, but he’s not the only coordinator in Detroit drawing interest. Aaron Glenn has put together an impressive coaching resume after he retired in 2009. The three-time Pro Bowl cornerback beloved by Jets fans in the ’90s has become a talented defensive coordinator. He’s worked under Mike Pettine in Cleveland, Sean Payton in New Orleans, and in year four working with Campbell in Detroit. The Lions’ defense has steadily improved under his watch, especially with the help of Aidan Hutchinson. He also spent two seasons in the Jets front office as a scout. Fans might scoff at the idea of bringing in another defensive-minded head coach. But who better to help the Jets turn it around than a fan favorite who witnessed a successful rebuild firsthand in the late ’90s?
Joe Brady: Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator
Our final candidate is one the Jets are all too familiar with. After a rough tenure in Carolina working for Matt Rhule, offensive coordinator Joe Brady is back on the radar. After putting an emphasis on their running game & getting Josh Allen to spread the ball, the Buffalo Bills offense has significantly improved under Brady. At 35, Brady has an impressive resume for someone his age. He spent two seasons as an assistant for the Saints before helping LSU capture a National Championship in 2019. Brady is credited for playing a significant role in the development of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson. Despite his lack of experience, he could be the kind of significant hire that could revolutionize their offense in 2025.
Main Photo: [David Butler III] – USA Today Sports
