Being the Aaron Glenn Jets head coach experiment hasn't exactly gone the way the Florham Park faithful dreamed it would. When he was hired back in January 2025, the vibe was basically "The Prodigal Son Returns." Glenn, the former All-Pro corner who lived and breathed Green and White, was supposed to bring that Dan Campbell-style grit he perfected in Detroit back to MetLife Stadium. Instead, 2025 was a brutal reality check.
A 3-14 record. Honestly, that’s tough to swallow for any fanbase, let alone one that’s been waiting for a winner since the Reagan administration. You’ve got people calling for his head, but Woody Johnson is standing firm. Why? Because the NFL isn't just about the box score; it's about the "process," even if that word makes Jets fans want to scream into a pillow.
The 2025 Season: What Went Wrong?
Let’s be real: the 2025 season was a car wreck. The Jets started 0-7, which is a one-way ticket to a "hot seat" list in any other market. They finished the year losing five straight, including a 35-8 blowout against Buffalo that felt like a funeral.
Glenn didn't hide from it. "This season's on me," he told reporters after the finale. It’s that accountability—that "no-nonsense" attitude—that got him the job in the first place. But accountability doesn't stop a defense from giving up 503 points over a season. The unit went the entire year without a single interception. Zero. None. Zilch. In a league where the ball is in the air more than ever, that is a statistically mind-boggling failure for a defensive-minded coach.
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The injuries didn't help, and neither did the revolving door at quarterback, with rookie Brady Cook eventually taking the reins for the final four games. But when you’re the Aaron Glenn Jets head coach, the excuses stop at the door.
The Defensive Coordinator Shakeup
Part of the reason Glenn is getting a second year is his willingness to admit his staff wasn't working. He fired Steve Wilks, who was brought in to be the "experienced" voice in the room. It didn't mesh. Glenn needs "synergy"—a guy who sees the game through the same aggressive lens he does.
Currently, the search for a new DC is the biggest storyline of the 2026 offseason. Chris Harris stepped in as the interim, but Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are looking for someone who can actually generate a turnover. If they don't find a coach who can fix the "no-interception" problem, Glenn’s $10 million-a-year contract won't save him in 2027.
Why Woody Johnson is Sticking With Him
You might think 3-14 is an automatic firing. But Woody Johnson is playing the long game here. Glenn is entering the second year of a five-year, $50 million deal. Eating $40 million to fire a guy after one season is a tough pill to swallow, even for a billionaire.
But it's more than just money.
- Locker Room Respect: Despite the losing, the players haven't quit. Breece Hall and the core vets still seem to buy into Glenn’s vision.
- The Detroit Blueprint: Everyone saw how long it took Dan Campbell to turn the Lions around. Glenn was a huge part of that. The hope is that 2025 was the "soil tilling" phase before the actual growth.
- Draft Capital: With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets have a chance to get Glenn "his" guys.
What Aaron Glenn Must Change in 2026
If 2025 was about "culture," 2026 has to be about points. Specifically, not giving them up and actually scoring some.
The "go/kick" charts from last year paint a weird picture. Glenn was aggressive on fourth downs—likely that Lions influence—but he was often aggressive in the wrong spots. He’s gotta find that balance between being a "player's coach" and being a tactical mastermind.
He's also admitted he needs to be better at game management. Too many times, the Jets looked disorganized coming out of timeouts or during two-minute drills. That’s the "rookie head coach" tax, but you only get to pay that tax for one year.
The Quarterback Factor
Whether it’s Brady Cook, a veteran free agent, or the No. 2 pick in April, the offense has to support the defense. Tanner Engstrand is likely staying as the OC, but the pressure is on him to evolve. If the offense continues to put the defense in bad spots, Glenn will be the one taking the arrows.
Actionable Steps for the Jets This Offseason
To turn the Aaron Glenn Jets head coach tenure from a disaster into a comeback story, three things need to happen immediately:
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- Nail the DC Hire: They need a "secondary specialist" who can teach these DBs how to actually find the football. The lack of interceptions is an indictment of the scheme, not just the talent.
- Solidify the O-Line: You can't evaluate a coach when the QB is running for his life every three snaps. GM Darren Mougey has to prioritize the trenches in free agency.
- Modernize the Scouting: The Jets need to stop drafting for "potential" and start drafting for "production." Glenn’s system requires high-IQ players who can make split-second adjustments.
The leash is short. New York isn't a patient city, and another three-win season will make the calls for a change deafening. Aaron Glenn knows the history of this franchise because he lived it as a player. He knows that in this league, you’re either the hero or the guy being escorted out of the building. Right now, he's just the guy trying to prove he belongs.