New York Jets hire Brian Duker as defensive coordinator (Report)

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the New York Jets have hired Brian Duker as their next defensive coordinator.

By Connor Long

Jan 28, 2026 - 11:45 am EST

News

Aaron Glenn, New York Jets, Getty Images

The New York Jets have reportedly hired their defensive coordinator for the 2026 season.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jets have hired Brian Duker to serve as the team’s DC.

The Jets are hiring Brian Duker as their defensive coordinator, per sources.

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. pic.twitter.com/CPjwCKangn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 28, 2026

Duker was one of nine candidates to interview for the position. Yet the Jets announced his interview less than 24 hours before he was reportedly hired, and after three candidates had already completed second interviews, while Wink Martindale appeared to be the favorite for the job.

The 36-year-old spent the last two seasons in Miami, serving as the Dolphins’ defensive pass-game coordinator and secondary coach.

He worked under Jets head coach Aaron Glenn in Detroit when Duker served as an assistant on Glenn’s staff with the Lions from 2021-23.

Given that Duker doesn’t have any play-calling experience and Glenn hails from a defensive background, there is a chance that the former Lions DC will be calling the Jets’ defensive plays in 2026.

Although the Jets landed their defensive coordinator, Glenn still has several key hires to make, most notably at offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, passing-game coordinator, defensive line coach, and linebackers coach.

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