Gruden has not held a full-time coaching job in the NFL since 2021. Cliff Welch / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Jan. 27, 2026Updated Jan. 28, 2026 5:43 am EST
The New York Jets reached out to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden about taking a role on Aaron Glenn’s staff, according to multiple league sources. Gruden, according to those sources, declined the team’s overtures.
Over the past week, Glenn has reached out to various veteran offensive coaches about a potential role on his staff. The original plan, according to multiple team and league sources, was to keep Tanner Engstrand, a first-time offensive coordinator and play caller for the Jets last season, as the team’s nominal offensive coordinator while giving primary play-calling duties to a more veteran coach. That changed on Tuesday when Engstrand and the franchise parted ways.
Now, the offensive coordinator job is open, and the Jets will have to go through the full process — including Rooney Rule requirements — to find a new play caller. Former Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich is considered a top candidate for the job, according to league and team sources.
The Jets also still have a vacancy at defensive coordinator, as well as other spots on Glenn’s staff, after a month of turmoil: Quarterback coach, offensive passing game coordinator, linebackers coach, defensive line coach and other defensive staff positions are all unfilled.
Gruden has not held a full-time coaching role in the NFL since 2021, when he resigned as the Las Vegas Raiders head coach after the disclosure of racist, homophobic and sexist emails he had sent while working as an analyst for ESPN. During the 2023 offseason, Gruden consulted with the New Orleans Saints’ coaching staff. He currently works for Barstool Sports.