The New York Jets have arguably been the worst team of the 2025 season. Even though head coach Aaron Glenn is in his first year, speculation about his job security has been growing for weeks as losses continued to pile up.
The season ended on a particularly low note, with a blowout loss to a second-string Buffalo Bills team, leaving the Jets at 3–14 and raising major questions about Glenn’s future. With that uncertainty, it’s worth examining how much the Jets would owe the former Lions defensive coordinator if they decide to fire him.
Jets Could Owe Big Money to Aaron Glenn if He’s Fired
Glenn, a former defensive back who began his coaching career with the Cleveland Browns, has steadily advanced through the ranks, serving as the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2024 before arriving in New York.
The Jets signed him to a five-year deal, with reports suggesting he’s earning $10 million annually from his contract. But his first year has been far below expectations, and there’s a very good possibility that he won’t be back in 2026. If the Jets do decide to clean the house, they would owe him roughly $40 million.
That’s significant, and one reason why New York may be hesitant to move forward.
“I have confirmed Aaron Glenn definitely will be back as @nyjets coach in 2026 despite the horrific 3-13 (maybe 3-14) season. He has four years left on a contract that pays $10 million a year,” wrote NFL reporter Gary Myers before the Jets’ 8-35 loss to the Bills in Week 18.
According to CBS Sports‘ Jonathan Jones and Dianna Russini, owner Woody Johnson wants to assess the current leadership setup with a more promising quarterback situation in the mix. Despite the team’s struggles, Johnson remains “committed” to Glenn’s broader vision for the organization.
The numbers, however, are brutal. The Jets finished the season at 3–14, having lost their last five games by an average of nearly 27 points, and became the first team since interceptions were tracked in 1933 to finish a season without a single pick.
Glenn, a former NFL cornerback with 41 career interceptions, even fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks in December after the team surrendered 48 points to Jacksonville.
Some context is important, though. The Jets made some significant moves at the trade deadline, trading key players like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, while focusing on improving their draft positioning and experimenting with different quarterbacks after the Justin Fields experiment failed to pan out.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, the Jets hold the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, and whether or not Glenn returns, the team is likely targeting a top quarterback prospect as the cornerstone of a potential rebuild.
