Short Description: Jon Gruden denies New York Jets coaching interest report, calling rumors “stupid.” Meanwhile, the Jets continue a major staff overhaul after a disastrous 3-14 season.
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Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has publicly denied a recent report claiming he was contacted by the New York Jets for a staff position. Appearing on WDAE radio, Gruden dismissed the speculation, stating, “There’s a lot of stupid rumors out there… Let’s just say there was never anything from the Jets.” This directly contradicts an earlier story suggesting Gruden rejected an offer from the team. The 61-year-old coach, who has been out of the league since resigning from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 amid controversy over leaked emails, has previously expressed his desire to return to coaching “at any level.” His ongoing lawsuit against the NFL over the email leak recently cleared a significant legal hurdle, allowing the case to proceed in court.
The Jets, under head coach Aaron Glenn, are indeed conducting a sweeping coaching staff overhaul following one of the most futile seasons in franchise history. The team finished 3-14, setting an NFL record by failing to record a single interception all year and losing their final five games by at least 23 points each. This collapse has led to the departure of both offensive and defensive coordinators. Most recently, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand parted ways with the team after discussions about a change in his role failed to reach an agreement. The search for a new offensive coordinator is now a critical offseason priority as the franchise looks to rebuild.
Despite the on-field struggles, the Jets’ front office has positioned the team with significant future assets, holding the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and additional high-value picks from trading stars like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the deadline. The organization’s focus is now squarely on a long-term rebuild, making any potential high-profile, controversial hire like Gruden seem increasingly unlikely as they aim to construct a stable foundation for the future.
Short Summary: Jon Gruden has denied any contact from the New York Jets regarding a coaching role, labeling the reports as false rumors. The Jets are undeniably rebuilding their entire coaching staff after a historically poor 3-14 season but appear to be focusing on a long-term strategic overhaul under GM Joe Douglas and HC Aaron Glenn, rather than a swift, controversial hire. The team holds the No. 2 draft pick and extra capital for a foundational reset.
