Are we close to finding out who will be running the New York Jets’ defense in 2026? If Friday’s news blast from the organization is a clue, that might be the case.

The Jets announced a first round of interviews for available candidates regarding their open defensive coordinator role. The list includes young names that have previously worked alongside or played for head coach Aaron Glenn.

We’ve completed virtual interviews with the following candidates for our defensive coordinator opening.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 16, 2026

One individual, in particular, stands out for his strong New York Jets connection and for representing a time when things were much better for the fans.

Jets’ Round 1 DC interviews

In total, eight names have been interviewed for the role in the first round. The full list, announced by the team, is as follows:

Matt Araujo (Dolphins DB coach)

Ephraim Banda (Browns safeties coach)

Demarcus Covington (Packers DL)

Chris Harris (interim Jets DC)

Daronte Jones (Vikings DB coach)

Jim Leonhard (Broncos pass game coordinator)

Wink Martindale (Michigan defensive coordinator)

Jim O’Neil (Lions defensive assistant)

There are plenty of unknowns to discuss. There are also some names Jets fans are very familiar with, as previously mentioned.

In the latter’s case, Wink Martindale is the most experienced name of anyone here. He was the defensive play-caller for the Baltimore Ravens in the late 2010s, and later worked with the New York Giants before leaving for Michigan University a couple of seasons ago.

Jim Leonhard, though, is the top name for most fans. A former Jets safety during the Rex Ryan era, Leonhard has been one of the highly sought-after defensive coordinator candidates this offseason.

Other teams, such as the Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and Pittsburgh Steelers, have either interviewed him in a similar fashion and/or are expected to show interest.

Outside of Leonhard and Martindale, there are many questions. Jim O’Neil is a former defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, and was an assistant under Glenn in Detroit.

Daronte Jones has never called plays, but has been an assistant under Brian Flores in Minnesota over the last couple of years. Banda, Convington, and Araujo are names who have worked with prominent coaches in the past (Jim Schwartz, Jeff Hafley, Vic Fangio), but are really getting their first taste as potential play-callers.

Finally, Chris Harris remains in the running after finishing out the year as the Jets’ interim defensive coordinator.

To summarize, Jim Leonhard is the name most Jets fans will want, as he’s considered one of the top up-and-coming defensive coaches in the NFL. Interest in Martindale is real because his scheme fits with Glenn’s.

While all other names are coupled with inexperience, they have worked under some of the best coordinators in the league, and the New York Jets are hoping one of them fits the job.