Aaron Glenn has revealed that talks are ongoing over the future of Aaron Rodgers but the new Jets head coach insisted his job was bigger than the legendary quarterback.
‘This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers, folks,’ Glenn said on Monday, when he and new general manager Darren Mougey spoke for the first time since joining New York
The new head coach told fans to ‘put your seatbelts on and get ready for the ride’ as the Jets embark on another new era after yet another miserable season. Rodgers’ first year with the Jets lasted four snaps before he tore his Achilles. Last season, with the future Hall of Famer under center, the Jets ended 5-12.
The quarterback has teased the possibility of retiring or playing elsewhere and on Monday Glenn insisted Rodgers is ‘under the microscope’ – just like every other player.
‘Aaron Rodgers will be talked about. We have texted our communication with Aaron Rodgers and (decisions will be made) as we continue to look at the roster,’ he said.
‘We’re going sit and talk and build the whole roster… we’re looking forward to that process. I can’t tell you how long that process will take… (but) we’re going to get the right answer.’
Aaron Glenn has revealed that no decision has been made on the future of Aaron Rodgers
The 41-year-old’s future with the New York Jets is uncertain after another miserable season
Glenn and new Jets general manager Darren Mougey were unveiled to the media on Monday
Later, Glenn insisted his job was bigger than one player or one position: ‘We have already text Aaron and me and Mouge are gonna sit there, and watch every game tape there is, and then we’re gonna look the whole roster.
‘This thing is not about Aaron Rodgers, folks, this is about the roster. We plan on building the best roster that we can… listen, everybody’s under the microscope. That’s just what it is. So we’re gonna do the best we can to make sure we build a better best roster.’
Rodgers’ relationship with Woody Johnson came under intense scrutiny last season but the Jets owner claimed on Monday that he would not have a say in the quarterback’s future.
‘I’m going to leave that to them, they have to take a look at how the team is composed and what they think they need and put all that together.’
When pressed on whether he would welcome Rodgers back, should Glenn and Mougey want to keep him, the owner said: ‘Absolutely. If they want Aaron back, Aaron’s a talent for sure, a Hall of Famer.’
Before Glenn made his way on to the podium at 1 Jets Dr, the first message of this new era was told by the playlist blaring through the auditorium speakers.
‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ was followed by ‘Whatever it Takes’ and ‘Brighter Day’ and ‘Anything is Possible’ and then, of course, Taylor Swift. ‘Welcome to New York’ rang out minutes before Johnson led both Glenn and Mougey on to the stage.
The Jets had whittled down 30 candidates to these two, with Johnson claiming New York was ‘blessed’ to have them at the helm.
Jets owner Woody Johnson leads Mougey and Glenn on to the stage at 1 Jets Drive
Rodgers was one of the main topics of conversation as work began for the new Jets front office
Glenn, who quipped that he ‘wears glasses now’, gave an impassioned speech on day one
The task for Glenn and Mougey is simple: end the longest active playoff drought across America’s four major sports leagues. It now spans 14 seasons.
Glenn, a former Jets player and scout, vowed to emulate his father, who worked ‘from 4am until the job is done’. ‘And that’s what you’re going to see from me,’ he said.
The new head coach helped transform the Detroit Lions into one of this league’s most deadly teams and Mougey vowed they would ‘do everything we can to bring a Super Bowl back to this team’.
Glenn added: ‘Here’s what I do know, we’re the freaking New York Jets, so we’re built for this s**’
The Jets announced the arrival of Glenn last week, bringing him ‘home’ more than three decades after he first joined as a player. The 52-year-old spent eight seasons as a cornerback for the Jets and later worked as a scout for the organization.
After hanging up his cleats, Glenn became a coach for the Browns and the Saints before taking over as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.
He now replaces Jeff Ulbrich, who was made interim head coach following the firing of Robert Saleh midway through last season.
Glenn will work alongside Mougey, who was appointed general manager after Joe Douglas was also dismissed last season.
Mougey, who previously worked as assistant GM for the Denver Broncos, called this role ‘one of the greatest honors and privileges of my life’ and insisted: ‘There is not a better leader than AG.’
