Ranking every candidate the New York Jets have lined up for HC interviews feat. Brian Flores, Matt Nagy

For the 14th consecutive year, the New York Jets missed the playoffs after finishing the 2024 season with a dismal 5-12 record. The organization is now looking to appoint a coach who will have an impact.

The Jets, who fired Robert Saleh after the team's 2-3 start to the season, have already interviewed Mike Vrabel and Ron Rivera for the position. They will interview more candidates, beginning with former coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik are among the other options the organization is reportedly considering.

Here, we will rank the candidates who have been linked with the vacant head coach position in New York.

Jets' HC candidates ranked

11) Brian Griese - Quarterbacks Coach, San Francisco 49ers

Brian Griese was a quarterback in the league for 11 years, playing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three of those years. He passed for almost 5,000 yards and 32 touchdowns during those seasons, finishing with a 12-9 record.

Griese took over as quarterbacks coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2022, succeeding Rich Scangarello.

10) Joe Brady - Offensive Coordinator, Buffalo Bills

Although Joe Brady hasn't had a head coaching position in the NFL yet, his performance with the Buffalo Bills' offense this season, especially with quarterback Josh Allen, who could win MVP, has pleased other teams in the league.

9) Bobby Slowik - Offensive Coordinator, Houston Texans

Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is in his second season with the team. He attracted some head coaching interest after Houston made it to the divisional round of the playoffs last season. It's not surprising that Slowik is drawing attention once more, given that the Texans won the AFC South this season again.

8) Vance Joseph - Defensive Coordinator, Denver Broncos

Vance Joseph was sacked following his second season as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2017. After that, he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals before rejoining the Broncos in the same capacity in 2023.

7) Arthur Smith - Offensive Coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers

Arthur Smith was reportedly under consideration to become the head coach of UNC before Bill Belichick was hired in December.

According to reports, Smith also had an interview for the head coaching job with the Jets before being hired as the Atlanta Falcons head coach in 2021. He spent three seasons in Atlanta, finishing 7-10 in all three, before being sacked in January 2024. The Pittsburgh Steelers hired him as their offensive coordinator after that.

6) Matt Nagy - Offensive Coordinator, Kansas City Chiefs

Following a disappointing stint as head coach of the Chicago Bears, Matt Nagy joined the Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff in 2022. Having been a member of a Chiefs' team that has won back-to-back Super Bowls, Nagy is being eyed for vacant head coaching roles in New York.

5) Brian Flores - Defensive Coordinator, Minnesota Vikings

Brian Flores was only able to lead the Miami Dolphins to a 24-25 record in his three years as head coach with the team. However, in his two seasons as the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, he has been outstanding.

Since Flores assumed the DC position before the 2023 season, the Vikings have shown that they have one of the top defensive corps in the league.

4) Aaron Glenn - Defensive Coordinator, Detroit Lions

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Aaron Glenn will interview with the Jets this week. Glenn will have the opportunity to further enhance his CV as he attempts to help Detroit to the Super Bowl.

This season, he helped the Lions achieve a 15-2 record, win the NFC North title for the second season in a row and finish as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

3) Ron Rivera - NFL Analyst/Former Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders HC

Over his tenure with the Carolina Panthers and Washington Commanders, Ron Rivera amassed a 102-103-2 record in 13 years.

Rivera's career high point came with the Panthers, where he went 15-1 in 2015 and guided the team to a Super Bowl trip before falling to the Denver Broncos.

2) Rex Ryan - ESPN Analyst/Former New York Jets and Buffalo Bills HC

The New York Jets may be keen to rehire Rex Ryan, the head coach who last guided them to the postseason, as their playoff drought has now lasted 14 seasons, the longest in the league.

A 4-12 season in 2014 marked the bitter end of Ryan's six-year tenure with the Jets. But before that, he had guided the squad to two trips to the AFC championship game.

Ryan recently discussed his prospects of being the Jets' next coach on ESPN Radio, saying he's the "best guy" for the position.

1) Mike Vrabel - Former Tennessee Titans HC

Mike Vrabel guided the Tennessee Titans to a 54-45 record during his six seasons as head coach, from 2018 to 2023. He led the team to three postseason trips and took part in the 2019 AFC championship game during that period.