Mike Tomlin is not the only Super Bowl-winning coach who could become a possibility for the New York Jets if the team makes another change at head coach after the 2026 season. Former Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians has said he feels drawn to the idea of returning to the sidelines.
The Jets have endured a long stretch without success. After reaching the AFC Championship Game in both 2009 and 2010, New York has not made the playoffs. The team has also changed head coaches repeatedly, employing five different coaches since 2011.
The current season has added to the pressure on the organization. New York entered the week with a 2-7 record and was facing the prospect of a fifth consecutive defeat against the Buffalo Bills. Aaron Glenn’s record as head coach stands at 5-21 across his season and a half in charge. Unless the Jets see significant improvement, his position could be in doubt heading into 2027.
## A different kind of coaching search
If New York decides to move on, it will have to consider what kind of candidate can help turn the franchise around. The team has relied on unproven coordinators or assistants for its last eight head-coaching hires, a strategy that has not delivered the results fans hoped for.
A more experienced coach could offer a different approach. That is one reason Tomlin has been connected to the Jets in recent weeks. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach has a proven record, but a return to coaching is far from certain. Tomlin appears to be enjoying his new role in television, and taking on a rebuilding challenge in New York might not appeal to him.
Arians could offer another experienced alternative. In a recent interview with Jordan Schultz, the former head coach said he has “the itch” to lead an NFL team again. He retired from coaching in 2022 after a successful season with Tampa Bay, but his health and energy have improved since then.
## Why Arians stepped away
Arians left the Buccaneers after the team went 13-4. Health concerns played a major role in that decision. He had torn his Achilles, and the prosthetic shoes he used during recovery caused serious back problems. The pain made it difficult for him to stand on the sideline for long stretches.
He was also monitoring an aneurysm on his heart. Given the physical demands and stress of being an NFL head coach, continuing in the role was not practical at the time.
Arians has since undergone open-heart surgery and says he feels much better, with more energy than he had in years. He had little interest in returning to coaching for several years, but that began to change in September, when he noticed a stronger desire to get back into the game.
## Arians’ record makes him worth considering
Arians has a substantial coaching résumé. Across nine seasons as an interim or full-time NFL head coach, he compiled an 80-48 record. His teams recorded five seasons with at least 10 wins, reached the NFC Championship Game twice and won Super Bowl LV in 2020 with Tampa Bay.
That experience could make him a compelling candidate if the Jets begin a search for a new head coach. He has led teams through successful seasons and has already reached the sport’s highest level as a head coach. His background would stand in contrast to the team’s recent pattern of hiring coaches without extensive head-coaching experience.
Arians’ interest does not mean a return is certain, and the Jets’ coaching plans for 2027 remain unknown. His health, willingness to take on the demands of the job and the team’s eventual direction would all matter. Still, if New York makes a change and Tomlin is not a realistic option, Arians’ record and renewed enthusiasm could put him in the conversation.
For a franchise that has struggled to find stability at head coach, the possibility of hiring a coach with a winning NFL record and a Super Bowl title is likely to attract attention.
