Jon Gruden Declines Jets Coaching Opportunity

Former NFL coach Jon Gruden has reportedly declined an offer to join the coaching staff of the Jets.

Gruden, who stepped away from coaching as head of the Raiders in 2021, was approached by the Jets regarding a potential role with Aaron Glenn’s coaching team. However, he informed them that he wasn’t interested. This information was shared by Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic.

The details of the potential role Gruden might have held were not specified in the report.

This decision from Gruden comes on the heels of news that offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will not be returning for the 2026 season.

Currently working for Barstool Sports, Gruden hasn’t made any public statements about the situation, although the outlet’s founder, Dave Portnoy, expressed his views online.

In a post, Portnoy commented that this was “the most insulting job offer in history” following the news.

This season marks Glenn’s first year as the head coach for the Jets, who, after struggling through a 3-14 record last season, secured the second overall pick in the NFL draft.

Before Engstrand’s departure, Glenn had already initiated changes, letting go of six assistants last Friday.

According to Brian Costello from the newspaper, Glenn has talked to former Colts and Panthers coach Frank Reich about the offensive coordinator position.

Gruden hasn’t coached since his emails surfaced in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, revealing that he had used racist, sexist, and anti-gay language directed at former Commanders GM Bruce Allen prior to his time with the Raiders.

Following his departure from the NFL, Gruden briefly worked as a consultant for the Saints in 2023 and served as an advisor for the Milan Seamen in the European Football League in 2024.

Throughout his coaching career, Gruden held a record of 117-112 with both the Raiders and the Buccaneers, notably leading Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory in 2002.