The New York Jets have hired a new defensive coordinator.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero revealed on social media that the Jets are hiring Miami Dolphins pass game coordinator and secondary coach Brian Duker to fill the DC vacancy.
“He’s close with Aaron Glenn from their days with the Lions and now reunites with him in New York,” Pelissero added.
Duker, 36, most recently was the Dolphins’ pass game coordinator/secondary. He’s close with Aaron Glenn from their days with the Lions and now reunites with him in New York.
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Duker interviewed for the Jets’ DC job virtually on Tuesday, January 27.
“Duker (36) has spent the last two seasons with the Miami Dolphins as the team’s pass game coordinator/secondary coach. Prior to his stint in Miami, Duker spent three seasons with the Detroit Lions and HC Aaron Glenn, serving as the defensive backs coach (2023), safeties coach (2022), and defensive assistant (2021),” Jets editorial contributor Susanna Weir wrote in a press release.
That late entrant seemingly indicated that the green and white were re-opening their search.
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“Duker has no play calling experience, so I would expect Aaron Glenn to call the plays on defense. He knows Duker from their Detroit days, so there should be a comfort level,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini posted.
“Aaron Glenn began telling candidates recently that he wanted to call plays defensively. This was different from [the] original plans and discussions, having spoken to sources close to those who interviewed for the Jets DC job. That’s among the reasons things fell through with Wink Martindale, and why Jim Leonard was never an option,” NFL Insider Connor Hughes explained.
“Glenn is now expected to call plays for New York with Brian Duker as DC, something he stressed he wasn’t interested in at various points last year. After Robert Saleh’s first year, there was a push to have him take over as play caller from higher ups. Saleh fended that off to stick with Jeff Ulbrich. The head coach calling plays clearly something the team has been open to for a while,” Hughes added.
That’s among the reasons things fell through with Wink
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY shared, “Here are Aaron Glenn’s defensive rankings as the Lions play caller
YPG, PPG
2024: 20th, 7th
2023: 23rd, 23rd
2022: 32nd, 30th
2021: 29th, 31st”
YPG, PPG 2024: 20th, 7th 2023: 23rd, 23rd 2022: 32nd, 30th 2021: 29th, 31st
Aaron Glenn Is Calling His Own Shot
With all due respect, this is less about Duker and more about AG. Glenn is going to call plays for the Jets’ defense in 2026.
How did he come to this decision? One of two things happened here.
He either couldn’t get a prominent name to fill in the DC role because the job is viewed as unattractive. The team lacks talent, and AG’s murky future creates uncertainty. Thus, AG would have no choice but to step up to the plate himself due to a lack of quality options.
Or AG had a change of heart and wanted to die on his own sword. According to the people on the outside, Glenn is on the hottest of hot seats heading into the season.
If this is going to fail, at least Glenn could sleep better at night knowing that he called the plays. So if it works, he will receive a ton of credit. If it flops, at least Glenn called the plays.
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