The Jets on Friday made it clear they’re effectively underway of their seek for a defensive coordinator, saying that they’ve interviewed eight candidates for his or her vacant publish.
Head coach Aaron Glenn must get this rent proper after his first selection, Steve Wilks, didn’t mesh along with his program and was fired in the course of the season.
Amongst these interviewed are Dolphins cornerbacks coach Mathieu Araujo, Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda, Packers defensive position coach DeMarcus Covington, Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, Broncos defensive go recreation coordinator Jim Leonhard, Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, Jets defensive backs coach Chris Harris and Lions defensive assistant Jim O’Neil.
As a result of Glenn is coming into 2026 on a brief leash primarily based on the 3-14 report in his first season, this can be a doubtlessly difficult the search — notably with so many open head teaching jobs.
Martindale, who was Michigan’’s defensive coordinator final season, and coached the Giants protection, is intriguing due to his intensive NFL expertise. And he’s identified to be aggressive in his schemes, which is one thing Glenn mentioned he needs out of his DC.
Covington has current DC expertise in New England. Jones is broadly seen as Vikings DC Brian Flores’ right-hand man and a future coordinator.
Leonhard is a former Jet with ties to Glenn. He’s in his second season with the Broncos, who had top-of-the-line defenses within the NFL this previous season, and first as their defensive go recreation coordinator/assistant head coach for one of many high defenses within the NFL this season.
Araujo, who was the Dolphins cornerback coach the final two seasons, has spent the final 4 seasons with Miami after teaching seven years in faculty, and Banda coached the Browns’ safeties from 2023-25.
Covington was employed because the Packers’ defensive position coach/run recreation coordinator final February for the 2025 season after spending eight seasons with the Patriots, together with one as defensive coordinator in 2024.
Harris took over because the Jets’ defensive coordinator for the ultimate three video games of the common season after the group fired Wilks. Earlier than the firing, he was the Jets’ defensive backs coach/go recreation coordinator this previous season, a task he additionally had with the Titans two seasons prior.
Jones simply completed his fifth season with the Vikings as defensive backs coach and third as passing recreation coordinator.
O’Neil, who labored below Glenn when he was the Lions’ defensive coordinator, simply accomplished his second season with Detroit after including safeties to his defensive assistant title in 2025.
This might not be the complete subject of candidates for the Jets as a result of it’s doable they’re ready out quite a lot of different candidates because the litany of head coach openings are crammed.
