Photo Credit: Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK
Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells spoke highly of Aaron Glenn, praising the former player’s steady climb through the coaching ranks. During the conversation, Parcells asked a key question regarding the New York Jets:
“Have they named a GM yet?”
The answer: Not yet.
“That’s important for Aaron,” Parcells said of his former Jets and Cowboys cornerback. “I’m hopeful he gets somebody he can work with.”
A Crucial Partnership
Hiring a head coach before naming a general manager is unconventional and raises concerns about how the power structure will function. The Jets have previously struggled with coach-GM relationships, most notably in 2019 when friction between Adam Gase and Mike Maccagnan led to Maccagnan’s firing just four months after the NFL Draft.
The Jets appear determined to avoid repeating history as they continue their GM search. According to league sources, Cincinnati Bengals senior personnel executive Trey Brown and Denver Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey will have second interviews this week. The Jets have scheduled Brown’s meeting for Thursday in Florham Park.
Aaron Glenn’s Selection
The Jets moved quickly to secure Glenn, offering the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator a five-year deal. Glenn, a former Pro Bowl cornerback for the Jets, was among the most sought-after head coaching candidates. His hiring was accelerated after the Lions’ surprising playoff exit last Saturday. The Jets acted swiftly to fend off interest from the New Orleans Saints, reuniting Glenn with the franchise where his playing career began.
Now the focus shifts to finding Glenn a compatible general manager.
GM Candidates: Brown and Mougey
While Glenn was widely believed to be part of a potential package deal with Washington Commanders assistant GM Lance Newmark—his colleague in Detroit—the Jets appear to have pivoted. Newmark has yet to be hired and may be exploring opportunities elsewhere, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are also searching for a GM after parting ways with Trent Baalke.
Instead, the Jets are reportedly prioritizing Trey Brown and Darren Mougey, both respected personnel executives.
Brown, 39, is considered a rising star in NFL front offices. After working as a scout for the Patriots and Eagles, he became Philadelphia’s director of college scouting from 2016 to 2018. Brown later held executive roles in the Alliance of American Football and XFL before joining the Bengals in 2021. He has previously interviewed for multiple GM roles and people describe him as “very comfortable” with Glenn, thanks to their mutual connection through former Jets scout Michael Davis.
Mougey, also 39, has spent his entire career with the Broncos, climbing the ranks from scout to assistant GM. He played a significant role in building Denver’s current roster, which features four All-Pros drafted between 2021 and 2023. Mougey has an indirect connection to Glenn through Broncos coach Sean Payton, Glenn’s former boss with the Saints.
Next Steps for the Jets
As head coach, Glenn will have input in the GM selection, even though the GM will ultimately hold final authority over the roster and personnel decisions. The Jets must ensure their new coach and general manager share a clear vision for the team’s future to avoid past missteps.
The Jets have taken a bold step in hiring Glenn, one of the most sought-after coaches this offseason. Now, they must make the right hire at GM to ensure their leadership tandem can thrive.
“I’m excited for Aaron,” Parcells said. “I’m looking forward to seeing how it goes. There’s a lot that goes into it.”
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This report used information from ESPN.
