Add Dolphins pass game coordinator Brian Duker to a growing list of candidates for the Jets’ defensive coordinator position. The Jets have completed a virtual interview with Duker, per a team announcement.
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Duker spent the past two seasons in Miami, where he worked under defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. With Weaver likely on his way out of Miami after the hiring of new head coach Jeff Hafley, the 36-year-old Duker may end up elsewhere in 2026 even if the Jets don’t hire him.
Before joining the Dolphins, Duker formed a rapport with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn while the two were on the same staff in Detroit. With Glenn serving as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, Duker held three different roles – defensive assistant, safeties coach and defensive backs coach – from 2021-23. Duker assisted in the development of safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch along the way.
Although Duker doesn’t have any play-calling experience in the NFL, it may not matter in this case. Glenn reportedly prefers to handle those duties himself, which could point to someone with little to no experience as a defensive coordinator serving in that role with the Jets next season.
Veteran DC Steve Wilks was at the helm for most of 2025, but Glenn fired him in mid-December. Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Chris Harris took over for Wilks for the final three games of the season. The Jets’ immense struggles continued after that. In losses to the Saints, Patriots and Bills, they surrendered a total of 106 points.
New York’s defense, which said goodbye to cornerback Sauce Gardner and lineman Quinnen Williams in Nov. 4 trade deadline deals, ended the year 25th in yards and 31st in points. Worse, the Jets failed to record an interception.
Duker became the ninth candidate to interview for the Jets’ job. Here’s the rest of the list:
- Mathieu Araujo, cornerbacks coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Ephraim Banda, safeties coach (Browns): Interviewed
- DeMarcus Covington, defensive line coach (Packers): Interviewed
- Chris Harris, interim defensive coordinator (Jets): Interviewed 1/18
- Daronte Jones, defensive backs coach (Vikings): Interviewed
- Jim Leonhard, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed
- Don Martindale, defensive coordinator (Michigan): Conducted second interview 1/24
- Jim O’Neil, defensive assistant/safeties (Lions): Interviewed
Why would u wait for 75-80% of the coordinator and head coaching market to fill up, then fire both of your coordinators