Aaron Rodgers ignites speculation linking most popular NFL head coach candidate with Jets job
At this point, it would be fair to say that the head coach seat with the New York Jets would figure to be the most coveted in the NFL. Despite the speculation surrounding Aaron Rodgers' future and some bombshell reports detailing how billionaire owner Woody Johnson went about his business with the franchise in recent years, the Jets have a whole host of young players under contract next year including, but not limited to, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Olu Fashanu, Braelon Allen, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Sauce Gardner.
As such, there's a lot to work with over at the Jets but they will first have to settle down on a new general manager before making any decision on who will coach the team next year.
During his weekly appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers paid some high praise to Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who is arguably the hottest name in the 2025 coaching carousel. Pointing at one play during the Lions vs Bears game that went viral, Rodgers said:
“The stumble play was unbelievable. I was watching it sitting on the bench they put it up during our game. They just faked the fucking gumble and threw a leak for a touchdown. How incredible was that? Pretty incredible.
“They do something crazy week. Really cool play design."
Ben Johnson's trick play that won Aaron Rodgers over
Rodgers' comments on Johnson ignited a wave of speculation as Jets fans began believing the franchise would reach out to him this summer.
Here's what some fans had to say:
"Ben Johnson needs to be my HC. Idc how much it costs," another fan wrote on social media platform X.
"Ben Johnson please come to the Jets. I’m so tired of having an inept offense," a second pleaded.
"I would literally cry if the Jets hired Ben Johnson," a third wrote.
Michael Lombardi had some telling things to say about the franchise last month.
"I think the Jets are going to have a hard time attracting a really serious candidate," Lombardi said on the Pat McAfee Show.
“Why would Ben Johnson leave a great job at Detroit to come into this dumpster fire to work under for a GM that he doesn’t even know? It’s really problematic.”
Exploring pool of Jets HC candidates for 2025
If, as is rumored, Ben Johnson ends up being named the head coach for the Chicago Bears, that leaves Mike Vrabel, Lions DC Aaron Glenn and Rex Ryan as potential candidates.
Of the three, Ryan has made impassioned pleas to once again coach the franchise whereas Vrabel and Glenn are seen as stronger candidates to make a statement and set a stronger culture in 2025.
A few more names who could be linked with the Jets include Brian Flores and Kliff Kingsbury, though the Jets are likely to look at more experienced names to coach the team.