Do the New York Jets have a philosophical match between their defensive coordinator and head coach? Past experience, from a schematic standpoint, says no.
Head coach Aaron Glenn spent his time in Detroit building a defense that was predicated on physical man coverage. That is in stark contrast to defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and his zone approach through the years for different teams.
Will those differing styles fit poorly together? New York’s defensive masterminds don’t believe that to be the case.
Jets’ Defensive Philosophy
Wilks has spent his entire career working in different defensive schemes. As a former defensive backs coach turned coordinator, Wilks has worked to fit players into different schemes across the league.
Now as New York’s play-caller, the veteran coach believes his philosophy will pair well with Glenn’s. And that doesn’t mean strictly from a schematic standpoint.
“I really think it’s a collaboration of both of our schemes and what we’re trying to get done,” Wilks said. “But, most importantly, as coach AG (Aaron Glenn) talks about all the time, it’s not really about our playbook, it’s about our play style. That’s the thing that we’re trying to emphasize and communicate with these guys.
“I think that’s the great thing as a coach, who do you have, what can they do, put them in the best situation to be successful.”
Glenn has consistently lauded Wilks’ coaching style and experience. Considering the Jets’ head coach has never held his current position before, he will use Wilks as an important person for guidance.
While both coaches may come from different backgrounds, there are a few things that show this marriage might work on the football field.
Where Glenn and Wilks Are Similar
The debate between zone and man coverages won’t be something that lingers for the Jets. They have players on the roster who can play in either style.
There are major similarities in how Glenn and Wilks coach their defenses up, though. It shows that this partnership may bring out the best in everyone.
Both of New York’s defensive masterminds have blitzed more than the league average in recent years. Wilks was one of the league’s highest-blitzing coaches at each of his stops, save for one year with the San Francisco 49ers.
Glenn is very similar. With a physical cornerback room in Detroit, he used extra blitzers to force teams into mistakes.
At the end of the day, though, how New York operates their defense will hinge directly on their 2025 schedule.
“I think everything is predicated off our opponents,” Wilks explained. “Each week it
might be a little different, zone eyes, getting the ball out quick, making plays on the ball, being physical at the line of scrimmage, trying to take certain guys away, tighten things up so the D-line can get there.
“So, it’s going to fluctuate in how we play.”
Wilks, of course, is saying all the right things now. New York should look to play a “multiple looks” scheme that forces teams to prepare for something complex when they take on the Jets. It’s very similar to how the New England Patriots played with Bill Belichick. Each week was an entirely different look.
Some analysts were confused about the hiring of Wilks from a schematic standpoint. He has run a different defense than Glenn, after all.
But the mixing and matching of principles might just end up making New York’s defense one that no offense wants to deal with in 2025 and beyond.