As far as rookie defensive coaches are expected to perform, 2025 was an abject disaster for Aaron Glenn.
The often undermanned Jets did little to suggest they were a professional unit this season. They ranked 30th in EPA/play allowed, 31st in points allowed, and dead last in dropback EPA/play. With the inevitable firing of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, New York is on the market for an exciting defensive mind.
In end of season interviews, Aaron Glenn emphasized one specific word when looking for his next right-hand man. Synergy.
While Wilks profiled as a strong veteran presence for a rookie coach, philosophically, he differed with Glenn on being a more zone-heavy playcaller. With the Jets’ first round of DC interviews released, Glenn’s intention to imprint his own philosophy is clear.
Daronte Jones
Jones has been a feature of the Vikings coaching staff for five years, outlasting the Mike Zimmer regime and becoming a main architect for Minnesota’s pass defense. Around the league, he’s known as Brian Flores’ right hand man.
Schematically, Jones looks like the kind of coach Glenn covets. Under Flores, the Vikings defense has been known as one of the most aggressive, man-heavy units in the NFL. Flores, like Glenn during his time in Detroit, is a master of pre vs post-snap disguise.
Learning under a similar defensive mind to Glenn while architecting one of the most unique pass defenses in football stands out. Jones also has DC experience of his own albeit less enticing.
As the Defensive Coordinator at LSU in 2021, his aggressive blitz heavy style led to just the 64th ranked total defense in the country. After head coach Ed Orgeron was fired, Jones did not make enough of an imprint to be retained by the new staff.
Maybe the most enticing bit about Jones’ candidacy is his emphasis on takeaways. After a historically inept zero interceptions forced in 2025, New York needs all the help they can get on that front. As the pass defense coordinator the last two years, Jones’ unit has intercepted the ball 32 times. It’s not a coincidence. This is something that he emphasizes in practice.
Right now, Jones feels like the best mix between readiness, attainability, and scheme marriage.
Jim Leonhard
Maybe the hottest DC candidate on the market, Leonhard may well have his pick of the litter at the end of the season. That should be a bad sign for the Jets.
But there is plenty of history to suggest Leonhard could be enticed by the job in New York. Starting with Leonhard’s time with the Jets from 2009-11, where he reached back to back AFC championships under Rex Ryan. Leonhard also has camaraderie with the leader of the regime, spending time with Mougey in Denver.
The cultural synergy is there with Leonhard, but the schematic fit isn’t as congruent. Leonhard’s 3-4 scheme is different to the 4-3 base the Jets ran in 2025. However, Glenn is known to mix between even and odd front principles, and Leonhard’s status amongst the rest of the field could allow for some philosophic adjustments.
Like Glenn, Leonhard is more than happy to stack bodies in the box threatening to blitz. In 2025, Denver had the third highest blitz rate at 31.9%. Unlike the head coach though, he isn’t as aggressive of a blitzer running a lot less cover 0. Leonhard is a master of disguise at the line, simulating pressure so the QB has no idea who’s rushing or dropping.
Jets fans yearn for the Rex Ryan era of defenses. Leonhard might be as close as New York could get to that style.
Wink Martindale
Undeniably the most controversial name on the list, Martindale is considered one of the favorites for the job by Jets media.
There’s no doubt Martindale is the most accomplished name on the list. With experience as a DC in Denver, Baltimore, and the Giants, the job won’t be too big for him. During his four-year stint with the Ravens, Baltimore ranked in the top five in scoring defense his first three years. Schematically, Wink is the best philosophical fit with Glenn, known for a gung-ho style of blitzing.
However, despite this, there are several concerns with hiring Martindale. Namely, the status of defenses during the decade. Since his initial three years with the Ravens, Martindale’s defenses have ranked 18th, 22nd, and 26th in scoring defense with two different teams. Since taking over as Michigan’s DC, the Wolverines’ defense has fallen hard from their dominance under current Chargers DC Wink Martindale.
Most concerning is Martindale’s need to die by the sword. A regression slope indicates that the longtime DC isn’t adjusting his system as time requires. Even changing the level of play, it seems like his style favors recklessness over calculated aggression.
In 2025, the Jets were marred by coverage busts and aggression that put the team in vulnerable spots. Hiring Martindale risks maintaining the status quo.
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