The invaluable HC-QB partnership
There is no partnership more critical on an NFL team than the one between a head coach and quarterback. The New York Jets are a good example of how success and failure can occur when that connection isn’t right.
Entering 2025, the team has a new partnership at the top. The Jets hired Aaron Glenn early in the year and swiftly signed free agent Justin Fields as the starting quarterback.
There were plenty of analysts and fans who cast doubt on the partnership. From an on-field perspective, Fields has not shown the ability to be a consistent passer through his first four years in the league.
Some wondered if Glenn made the right choice in hitching his first year to Fields in the first place.
Through it all, though, New York’s coaching staff has been loyal to its starter. With the offensive philosophy they want to develop, they believe Fields is the right man for the job.
Aaron Glenn’s comments on Wednesday only enhanced that belief.
Glenn thrilled with QB relationship
Glenn has seen Fields operate from an opposing sideline over the last few years. When the coach was running the defense in Detroit, and the quarterback was the face of the Chicago Bears, the two squared off plenty of times.
Now that they are on the same side, the two quickly realized how similar they are. Better yet, the relationship they have built is already bearing fruit.
“Me and Justin talk every day,” Glenn said before Wednesday’s practice. “He’s in my office during the days that he’s here, and we make sure the relationship between me and him is on point, and we talk about football constantly. That means a lot to me, and we’re going to continue to grow that way.”
While Glenn has consistently disputed the moniker of a defensive-minded coach—despite being a former corner, defensive scout, and defensive coach—he has always understood the importance of a head coach being able to connect with his signal-caller.
That doesn’t mean they have to agree at all times, though. There’s a distinction that Glenn believes he needs to have.
“I believe that the head coach-quarterback relationship has to be on point,” Glenn said. “I do believe that, because you want to be wired a certain way as far as how you think the game should be going, especially in game management situations.”
Whether the Jets and their coach-quarterback duo can turn around the franchise’s woes remains to be seen.
At the very least, though, New York Jets fans should be thrilled that Aaron Glenn and Justin Fields are on the same page about how to achieve success.