Aaron Glenn declares plan for NY Jets starters in preseason finale

With one preseason game left, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn spoke to reporters following Tuesday’s training camp practice about how he plans to manage his starters against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night.

“Some starters won’t play in this game. I won’t get into the who’s or whatnot, but a good number of starters won’t play. It gives us a chance for us to look at some of the other young guys and give them plenty of playing time so we can evaluate them,” said Glenn.

Glenn played all healthy starters in the Jets’ first two preseason games against the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants. Teams that emphasize preseason reps for starters usually do so early, leaving the finale for younger and roster-bubble players to showcase themselves.

The reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles will certainly not be playing their starters, and likely even backup quarterback Tanner McKee. Given that the Jets are squaring off against a team that will bench all their starters and high-end depth options, it doesn’t make sense to play all healthy starters for the third consecutive week.

Friday’s matchup offers the Jets one final in-game evaluation before final roster cuts. Glenn’s decision to sit a significant portion of his starters emphasizes the importance of giving extended snaps to rookies and fringe players battling for jobs.

Glenn made clear the focus is on evaluation, not results, as New York determines which players can carve out roles beyond cutdown day and help shape the 53-man roster heading into Week 1.