New York Jets stars take swipes at Robert Saleh regime

There were a lot of reasons the New York Jets failed under their previous regime. Injuries, poor execution, and questionable front office maneuvers all played a big role in New York’s demise.

Arguably, the most important factor, though, was coaching. The Jets were unprepared in key moments throughout the previous regime. That was a direct reflection on the preparation of their coaching staff.

The fact that there has been such a transformational shift in the organization with the arrival of head coach Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey only highlights the difference.

And some of New York’s stars are beginning to make their thoughts clear in that regard.

Jets Stars Speak Out on Regime Change

Throughout the previous regime, players would often speak glowingly about how supported they are, and how they are led by “player’s coaches.”

Now, with a new coaching staff leading the way, those same players are speaking out against the way they were taught by the previous staff.

“I can see this thing turning around, for sure, especially with Glenn, the type of coach he is,” Jets starting guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said during the week. “He praises physicality, but even more, like, accountability. I think that’s very important for a head coach to do.

“That’s something I haven’t seen as much of in my career.”

For a veteran like Vera-Tucker to be talking about a lack of accountability in recent years is a scathing indictment of the previous regime.

It’s also a very good mark of the sweeping changes the Jets have made under both Glenn and Mougey. The former Pro Bowl cornerback turned head coach has brought a sense of understanding but required discipline to the roster that some of the stars have celebrated.

Arguably the most important thing that Glenn brings, though, is stability. That is something that running back Breece Hall didn’t appreciate from last year’s five-win stretch.

“In the past, there’s been a lot of instability around the whole operation,” Hall said. “I feel like this year I feel that everyone has bought into this coaching staff. It feels a lot better around here coming in everyday.”

Part of that stability doesn’t just come from the previous regime. Some of the blame for that has to fall on Jets owner Woody Johnson, who fired Robert Saleh five games into the regular season in 2024, and left the organization in a state of flux.

Johnson has done his part to rectify the mistakes he has made from that season, though. He has upgraded the facilities in key areas, including the locker room, and has stayed away from the everyday process that has been left to Glenn and Mougey.

Part of that is trust, but the other part is the principles that Glenn has brought forth since being hired in January.

New York’s head coach spoke Saturday about wanting players who were tough, physical, but also smart. At times, the previous regime only brought in players who had two of those three traits. It’s why the organization was the most penalized team in the game over the last two years.

Hall and AVT have spoken out against their former coach. That isn’t a good look for the kind of culture that both Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich tried to build (even in an interim role).

As bad a look as that is, it’s also a positive look for how transformational Glenn has been since taking the job.

No one knows if that will amount to wins in the coming years ahead, but things sure seem different in Florham Park than they have had over the years previous.