Jets season preview: New coach, new culture for Aaron Glenn's squad
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 22. Credit: Errol Anderson
The Jets handed over the franchise from one Aaron to another, believing that Aaron Glenn will accomplish what Aaron Rodgers couldn’t.
Rodgers brought plenty of hype and Super Bowl hope. The Jets signed big-name veterans. They were all-in . . . and it was a colossal letdown. Rodgers was injured in Week 1 his first season and led the Jets to a 5-12 record in 2024 — their 14th straight year missing the playoffs.
Glenn, a first-round pick of the Jets in 1994, isn’t looking for a quick fix. He released Rodgers in March and has been laser-focused on trying to change the culture and build something that has sustained success.
“I want to make sure the players understand that we're here to play football and everybody in the organization understands that everybody has a job to do,” he said. “We're moving in the right direction, and that feels good to me.”
Saying he likes “to move in silence,” Glenn hasn’t made a splashy move and there have been no distractions. The Jets have gone from “All Gas, No Brake” under former coach Robert Saleh to “All Football, No Drama” under Glenn.
“I feel like we’ve won the offseason the last three, four years. I don’t like that,” receiver Garrett Wilson said. “For me, it’s [about] staying off the radar and let’s put our head down and go do it when it matters. I feel like we’re on the path.”
The Jets are all-in on Glenn’s way and confident it will end their postseason hex.
Glenn has gone through major turnarounds as a player with the Jets and most recently as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. The Jets went 4-28 in 1995 and '96 before reaching the AFC Championship Game in the 1998 season. The Lions went 3-13-1 in Glenn’s first season in 2021 and were 15-2 last year.
He’s brought more accountability to the Jets and intensity to practice, including actual one-on-one tackling drills and live team competition with players being brought to the ground.
Wilson and other players who have experienced multiple down years feel the winds of change blowing throughout 1 Jets Drive.
“It's going to make this ascension and this whatever it is these upcoming seasons that much better because of what we've been through here,” Wilson said. “It just hasn't been your time yet. It’s coming.”
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood said, “I just believe in what AG speaks. I feel like we got the right people to do what we need to do.”
Glenn learned from some of the best, from Bill Parcells to Sean Payton. Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, a Jet since 2018, sees similarities between Glenn and his former Alabama coach, Nick Saban.
“I've been coached by one of the greatest coaches of all time,” Williams said. “I know how it looks and how it feels when it comes down to being around people who can take me and the team to their highest level — and he’s got every aspect in him. I know he's going to be one of the greatest coaches in this league.”
It’s only Year 1 of the Glenn rebuild, though, and the Jets are not a hot playoff pick. They will rely heavily on their defense and running game and hope that new quarterback Justin Fields can improve as a passer in offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s system.
Glenn believes they can bring more out of Fields than he has shown in four seasons with Chicago and Pittsburgh. Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract, has averaged only 177 passing yards and thrown 45 touchdown passes in 44 starts.
One of three quarterbacks in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, Fields will be part of the Jets’ potentially explosive rushing attack with Breece Hall and second-year back Braelon Allen. Fields is out to show he can beat teams with his arm too.
“I want to prove to myself,” he said. “I think I've been improving each year I've been in the league, so I look to do the same this year.”
Wilson, who caught passes from Fields for Ohio State, will be the main target. The Jets didn’t revamp the receiver room much. Hall and talented rookie tight end Mason Taylor are expected to be featured in the passing game.
The Jets’ defense again should be strong with eight returning starters and a solid line.
Williams is the leader of a front that was bolstered by the acquisition of run-stopper Harrison Phillips from Minnesota. Versatile, athletic edge rushers Jermaine Johnson, back from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Week 2, and Will McDonald, who is bigger and stronger after recording 10.5 sacks last year, can be disruptive.
Sherwood and Quincy Williams are fast, physical linebackers who fit the system run by Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Expect more blitzes.
The secondary is led by Sauce Gardner, one of the league’s top cornerbacks. They shored up the back end by signing former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens and Jaguars safety Andre Cisco.
“We have everything we need to succeed,” said Cisco, a Valley Stream product. “What you want is a winning formula, and I think that's what we have.”
Winds of change are blowing through Florham Park. Glenn is confident the Jets will turn things around under his watch and is asking the passionate fan base to keep believing.
“Don't let go of the rope,” Glenn said. “Hold on tight. Be patient and give the guys time. We'll be just fine.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
