The New York Jets are in need of a new head coach after firing Robert Saleh earlier this year. But it sounds like one top candidate has already ruled them out.
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is one of the top head coaching candidates on the market. But as the Jets schedule their interviews with head coaching candidates, it sounds like Johnson will not be among those interviewing for the job.
According to a report from Diana Russini of The Athletic, the Jets will not submit a formal interview request for Ben Johnson.
“The New York Jets are not expected to put in a formal request for Lions OC Ben Johnson. They are expected to have interest in Lions DC Aaron Glenn,” Russini said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
Russini went on to indicate that the reason the Jets decided not to put in a formal interview request is because Johnson is not all that interested in the head coaching vacancy.
“Ben Johnson has made it very clear he’s not taking interviews with every organization looking for a HC. If the Jets had a better quarterback situation, there would be more interest,” Russini wrote.
While Johnson does not seem interested in the position, the Jets do have plenty of other candidates.
The Jets have already interviewed Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera for the job, and the team is set to interview Rex Ryan, Brian Flores, Josh McCown, Joe Brady, Matt Nagy, Arthur Smith, Brian Griese, Aaron Glenn, Vance Joseph, and Bobby Slowik.
We’ll have to see who the Jets ultimately end up with as their next head coach.
Whoever it is, it’s clear it will not be Johnson.
