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NY Jets set to add two key defensive assistants to staff (Report)

Aaron Curry, NY Jets, LB Coach, NFL, News
Aaron Curry, New York Jets, Getty Images

The New York Jets’ rebuilt coaching staff is starting to come together. Since hiring their head coach and general manager last week, the Jets have been quickly filling their remaining holes.

After honing in on Tanner Engstrand as their expected hire at offensive coordinator, the Jets are set to hire two key defensive assistants.

Jets hire Aaron Curry as linebackers coach

Per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, Aaron Curry is joining the Jets as their new linebackers coach.

Curry spent the last two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their inside linebackers coach. Before that, he was a defensive assistant with the Seattle Seahawks (2019-22) and at the college level with UNC Charlotte (2013-18).

Before coaching, Curry played in the NFL as a linebacker. Curry was the fourth overall pick in 2009 by the Seahawks after a dominant college career at Wake Forest. While his playing career didn’t work out as hoped, Curry has been making a name for himself as a coach.

Jets expected to hire Chris Harris to defensive staff

The Jets are also expected to sign Chris Harris to a role on the defensive staff, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.

Harris has spent the last two years with the Tennessee Titans as the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He will likely take up a similar role with the Jets and fill the hole left by Tony Oden, who replaced Harris in Tennessee.

Harris also spent time as the defensive backs coach for the Washington Commanders (2020-22) and other roles with the Los Angeles Chargers (2016-19) and Chicago Bears (2013-14).

Like Curry, Harris played in the NFL. A sixth-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2005, Harris earned Chicago’s starting safety role as a rookie. He went on to play 101 career games (88 starts) for four teams across eight seasons. Most notably, Harris led the league and set the Carolina Panthers record for forced fumbles in a season with 8 in 2007, and he earned a second-team All-Pro appearance with the Bears in 2010.

Clear trend emerging in New York Jets’ hires

As the Jets’ new regime coming together, we see a clear trend between all the candidates.

At the time this article was written, the Jets have hired (or are expected to hire):

  • General manager: Darren Mougey
  • Head coach: Aaron Glenn
  • Offensive coordinator: Tanner Engstrand
  • Defensive coordinator: Steve Wilks
  • Special teams coordinator: Chris Banjo
  • Offensive line coach: Steve Heiden
  • Linebackers coach: Aaron Curry
  • Defensive assistant: Chris Harris

Of the eight individuals listed above, only Engstrand and Wilks did not play in the NFL. Both played football at the college level and quickly transitioned to coaching once playing wasn’t an option.

Playing the sport brings a unique understanding and helps coaches relate to players. Time will tell if that translates to wins. The Jets still have plenty of roles to fill, and we’ll see if this trend continues.

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