Is Jon Gruden in the running to become a coach for the New York Jets? Following a report that the Jets reached out to the former head coach, Gruden denied the rumors. However, a WFAN host is now reporting that Gruden did indeed speak with the Jets.
Inside the report about Jon Gruden coaching with the Jets
This saga all started when The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt reported that the Jets reached out to Gruden about joining the Jets’ coaching staff.
With head coach Aaron Glenn calling the defense, the Jets are looking for a veteran offensive coordinator to call plays.
The Jets parted ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand after one season.
The leading candidate to replace Engstrand is Frank Reich, the former head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers. Reich was the offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles during the 2017 season.
While the report did not specify Gruden’s role, it would almost certainly be on the offensive side of the ball.
Gruden reportedly declined the Jets’ offer.
Jon Gruden responds to Jets report
Today, Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) shut down New York Jets coaching staff rumors with @TKras#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/jWGdd5YPxv
— 95.3 WDAE & AM620 (@953WDAE) January 29, 2026
Who better to answer the report than Gruden?
While speaking to WDAE sports radio in Tampa, Gruden denied The Athletic’s reporting.
“There’s a lot of reports we’re not going to get into. As you know there’s a lot of stupid rumors out there. Some of these reports are ridiculous,” Gruden said. “Let’s just say there was never anything from the Jets and I wish them well in their search for a new offensive coordinator.
Gruden, who currently works for Barstool Sports, has been vocal about his desire to coach again.
In 2021, Gruden resigned five games into the season as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders after leaked emails of Gruden’s contained racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language.
WFAN’s Craig Carton explains the Jets’ courting of Gruden
It’s been a popular week for Gruden on WFAN, a popular New York sports radio station.
Evan Roberts, who hosts the midday show, predicted that Gruden will be the Jets’ coach next year.
“Next year, when the Jets fire Aaron Glenn, and they will, you people listening, and you know who you are, because you’ve called in for months—‘Jon Gruden! Jon Gruden! Jon Gruden!’—You’re going to get what you want,” Roberts said. “Jon Gruden is the next head coach of the New York Jets.”
On Friday, WFAN’s afternoon drive host, Craig Carton, shared what he knew about the Gruden report.
Carton said that not only did the Jets speak with Gruden, but Glenn made the phone call. However, Gruden never received a job offer.
Craig sets the record straight on Jon Gruden, Aaron Glenn, and the Jets:@craigcartonlive pic.twitter.com/wqq0gmlieo
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) January 30, 2026
“Yes, Aaron Glenn reached out to Jon Gruden just to talk to him about the possibility of what he thought about returning to the NFL,” Carton said. “They didn’t offer him the job. And anyone that wants to tell me today that Aaron Glenn did not pick up the phone and call Jon Gruden, you are just flat-out, factually wrong. I want to be clear about it. Aaron Glenn picked up the phone … he called Jon Gruden. He did not offer him a job. They had a football conversation.”
The Jets’ search for their next offensive coordinator will continue without Gruden.
