Jon Gruden’s Connection to Jets May Not Be True

It seems that the idea of Jon Gruden joining the New York Jets might not hold much weight after all.

This week, there were reports suggesting that the Jets reached out to Gruden about a potential position on their coaching staff. However, he reportedly showed no interest.

In a recent interview with WDAE Radio, Gruden suggested those reports may have been inaccurate. “There are a lot of ridiculous rumors floating around. Some reports are just absurd. Let’s clarify: nothing has come from the Jets. Best of luck to them in their search for a new offensive coordinator,” he stated.

The Jets recently overhauled their coaching staff, parting ways with almost everyone except their head coach. Aaron Glenn, after just one season, has also let go of many assistants, including key coordinators.

This past season was notably rough for the Jets, ending with just three wins and fourteen losses. They made history as the first NFL team to complete a season without throwing an interception. Moreover, they suffered five consecutive losses, each by 23 points or more, marking yet another record for the league. This season was their third with at least fourteen losses, joining the ranks of the teams under coaches Rich Kotite and Adam Gase.

Gruden’s coaching career has been in limbo since he left the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021, amid a controversial exit following the exposure of emails filled with offensive language.

After his departure, Gruden filed a lawsuit against the NFL, claiming a “malicious and orchestrated campaign” to ruin his career due to leaked emails from his time as an ESPN analyst. Recently, he won a key ruling allowing his case to move forward in court rather than being settled through arbitration, as the Nevada Supreme Court rejected the NFL’s attempt to reconsider that decision.

In July, Gruden expressed hope for a return to coaching, saying, “I hope it’s not over. I’m trying to come back. I don’t care if I coach at Jones Middle School or somewhere else—I just want to coach again. I still coach privately, and when I attend games, I’ll be wearing my gear.”

Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand parted ways with the Jets on Tuesday after discussions about modifying his role yielded no agreement.

Throughout the tumultuous season, the Jets started three different quarterbacks. Justin Fields was benched, and with Tyrod Taylor injured, Brady Cook stepped in as the starter during the latter half of the season.

During the trade deadline, the Jets moved Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, securing some draft capital. They traded with the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, both of whom missed the playoffs. The draft picks received are relatively promising, particularly the Colts’ first-round pick in 2026 and the Cowboys’ second-round pick in 2026. Additionally, the Jets hold the No. 2 draft pick for the upcoming draft.