Much of the New York Jets’ fanbase is fully out on head coach Aaron Glenn after Gang Green’s latest embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins. Darren Mougey, though, is an interesting case.

When fans discuss Mougey, the conversation seems evenly split between those who believe he should earn a third season and those who think the Jets should just clean house.

Has the general manager done enough to deserve a third year and return, even if Glenn doesn’t?

Mougey’s situation

Let’s start with the obvious: Glenn and Mougey share the same record: 5-19. That’s unacceptable.

However, their roles and responsibilities differ, just like the head coach and general manager of the league’s 31 other teams.

Let’s look at Glenn first. His impact on the team has been obvious. The Jets have constantly been at a coaching disadvantage; he continues to hurt the team and even cost some games with his inept game management, and there hasn’t been much improvement from his first to second season in the role.

Can Jets fans name one thing Glenn has done well as a head coach? Marginal credit is due for the defense’s improvement this year, but that’s as a play caller, not a head coach. Not to mention, the Jets just gave up 28 points to a Dolphins team that had not held a lead this season.

When it comes to Mougey, there are many more positives to cling to when evaluating his individual body of work. As things stand right now, I’d actually lean toward giving him a third season and the opportunity to hire his own head coach.

The executive has done a solid job in several areas, especially identifying value on the margins through trades and low-cost free agent pickups. His draft classes have shown plenty of promise.

Let’s start with the marginal moves. In August 2025, he acquired defensive tackles Jowon Briggs and Harrison Phillips in exchange for Day 3 pick swaps. Both guys have been important pieces of the Jets’ defensive line rotation over the last two seasons.

Mougey has also been able to consistently acquire proven talent on the trade market for fantastic value. This offseason, he added All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in exchange for a seventh-round selection, along with top-tier run-stuffer T’Vondre Sweat in exchange for Jermaine Johnson, who became expendable.

In addition, Mougey has hit on quite a few of his lower-cost free agent signings. Dane Belton, who was signed to a one-year, $4 million deal, has been one of the league’s better safeties this season. Meanwhile, Kingsley Enagbare, whom Mougey picked up on a one-year, $10 million contract, has arguably been the team’s best edge rusher.

Mougey’s draft classes deserve praise as well. Through the first seven games of the season, all three of the Jets’ first-round rookies have already delivered signature outings: David Bailey, Kenyon Sadiq, and Omar Cooper Jr.

Don’t overlook fourth-round rookie Darrell Jackson Jr., either. The Florida State product has been an impactful rotational piece and is making a strong case for more work.

There is also plenty to like from Mougey’s first class. His top three picks, Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, and Azareye’h Thomas, are all starters this year and have each flashed tremendous promise, particularly Membou, who is playing like one of the league’s best right tackles.

The Jets have built a pretty solid young foundation through the draft, and Mougey is at the forefront of that. Some of the Day 3 selections absolutely deserve flak. Arian Smith and Tyler Baron don’t look like NFL players, and even Malachi Moore hasn’t looked the part, either.

However, a significant trend is emerging. Mougey’s top selections typically come in and impact games right away. That’s valuable. Obviously, you want to see some steals on Day 3, but capitalizing on the premium selections is most important.

At the end of the day, Mougey’s greatest accomplishment is the war chest of assets he has accumulated.

A year ago, Mougey shipped off Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, netting Adonai Mitchell, three first-round picks, and a second-round selection. New York already acquired Omar Cooper Jr. and D’Angelo Ponds through those trades in the 2026 draft, and they are currently projected to net two top-12 picks in 2027.

The immense amount of capital accumulated by Mougey is arguably the biggest reason that fans still have long-term hope for the franchise. That alone should not be the reason to keep Mougey, though. If the organization doesn’t think he can make the right selections, pick the right head coach, and draft a franchise quarterback, they certainly have a right to move on this offseason.

The strongest argument to bring Mougey back is the core he’s built so far. New York’s roster has clearly improved at nearly every position group compared to the 2025 season.

Mougey also deserves credit for a crucial adjustment. After relying too heavily on young, unproven players in 2025, he shifted the Jets’ roster-building philosophy toward a more balanced approach, prioritizing adding established veterans to raise the floor.

There have certainly been mistakes, from the Joseph Ossai and Justin Fields signings to his multiple questionable selections on Day 3. But at the end of the day, in my eyes, Mougey is on track to deserve a third season and pick his head coach.

Mougey has shown he has what it takes to build a competent roster, and that deserves another opportunity, including a chance to hire his HC. The evidence behind the Jets’ struggles doesn’t suggest Mougey is most responsible; it looks to be Glenn.

Results must come at some point, but right now, Mougey’s body of work has been much more convincing than his record indicates.