The Jets moved forward in their interview process with a recognizable name. Lions DC Aaron Glenn was interviewed virtually on Thursday. The Jets also interviewed former Browns general manager Ray Farmer for their general manager opening. Due to NFL rules, Glenn could only interview virtually because Detroit is currently in the postseason after going 15-2 and gaining the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Glenn, 52, is the fifth known candidate interviewed for the Jets coaching position [Ron Rivera, Mike Vrabel, Rex Ryan, and Matt Nagy]. He is arguably the favorite to land the Jets coaching job. Jets fans may remember Glenn as a player after the team selected him in the first round of the 1994 draft. He played eight seasons for the Jets before the Texans acquired him in the expansion draft in 2002. He was a two-time Pro Bowl under former Jets coach Bill Parcells (1997-98) What separates Glenn from other coaching candidates is that he has dipped his toe in almost every aspect of a team. He has experience as a player, personnel scout, and assistant coach. After his playing days, Glenn worked as a scout in the Jets organization for two seasons (2012-13) before getting into coaching. In 2014, he began his coaching journey with the Browns as an assistant defensive backs coach and spent two seasons in that role. Glenn then went to New Orleans to become Sean Payton’s defensive backs coach (2016-20). Since 2021, Glenn has been the defensive coordinator under Lions coach Dan Campbell. Together, the two helped the Lions go from a 3-13-1 record in 2021 to Super Bowl contenders each of the last two seasons. Glenn and the Lions’ defense has overcome several injuries and produced a defense that improved in 2024. Detroit has 13 defensive players on injured reserve, two of the team’s defensive linemen, Aidan Hutchinson [broken fibula] and Alim McNeill [ACL]. Cornerback Carlton Davis has also been out due to a fractured jaw he suffered in Week 15. Detroit finished 20th in total yards (342.4) and seventh in points allowed (20.1), helping the team to a second straight NFC North division title. That is an improvement from the 2023 season when the Lions allowed 23.2 points per game. The Lions defense also allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (61.1) and the league’s lowest passer rating (82.0) during the 2024 season. They also allowed just 98.4 rushing yards per game, which was the fifth-best in the league. “Aaron Glenn is — he’s as good a coach as you’re going to find, he’s an even better human being,” Campbell said. “Look, if nobody wants him, I’ll take him again. I can tell you that right now. “The thought of going through another cycle and he’s not somebody’s head coach is ridiculous. I mean, this guy is as good as they come, and he can do it all. He understands how to manage a game, he understands the offense, defense, special teams, he knows how to communicate, he understands the discipline of players, and he’s motivating, he’s inspiring.” In addition to the Jets, Glenn is scheduled to interview with the Bears, Jaguars, and Saints during the Lions’ playoff bye this week. It would be surprising if Glenn didn’t get a coaching job during this hiring cycle. In 2022, Glenn interviewed for the Saints coaching job, which eventually went to Dennis Allen. Last season, he interviewed for the Chargers, Commanders, Falcons, and Titans positions. Glenn, a disciple of Parcells and Payton, has been labeled a culture-builder—a coach who gets players to buy into and influence the organization. Following a disappointing 14 consecutive seasons of not making the playoffs, the Jets certainly need a culture-builder like Glenn. Farmer’s resume Farmer, 50, has worked in the NFL since 2002, when he began as a scout with the Falcons (2002-05). Following his time in Atlanta, Farmer was Kansas City’s director of pro personnel for seven seasons (2006-12). He is known for his time as the Browns’ assistant GM (2013) before becoming their GM for two seasons (2014-15). Farmer was fired following the Browns’ 3-13 season in 2015. As Browns general manager, he had a record of 10-22. In 2015, Farmer was suspended for four regular-season games after violating the NFL’s electronic device policy. He was caught texting team personnel on the sideline from the press box. Since 2020, Farmer has been working in the Rams organization alongside GM Les Snead. He was first hired as a scouting consultant and then promoted to Los Angeles’ senior personnel executive, where he has been since 2021. Owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during a 5-12 season. In November, Johnson hired The 33rd Team to help identify candidates for both the general manager and coaching positions. In addition to Farmer, the Jets have interviewed Jon Robinson, Louis Reddick, Jim Nagy, Thomas Dimitroff, and Mike Borgonzi for their general manager position.