Throughout the 2025 season, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has been quick to defend the assistants on his staff, even when the team’s on-field struggles were hard to explain away.
After Sunday’s 34-10 blowout loss to the Miami Dolphins, a game in which the Jets fell to 3-10 and were eliminated from playoff contention for a 15th straight year, Glenn was at it again.
In the defeat, New York gave up over 230 rushing yards to the Dolphins, a performance that looked even more ghastly on film than it did live. The Jets allowed three touchdown drives in the first quarter alone, and never made the game competitive afterward.
That made defensive coordinator Steve Wilks an easy target for the embarrassing performance.
New York’s defense, not long ago considered one of the league’s best, is now one of the worst in just about every category. Despite all the issues, Glenn continues to have his coordinator’s back…at least right now.
In defense of Wilks, Glenn cited a comparison Jets fans have heard countless times throughout this trying season.
Glenn defends Wilks again
Glenn is in a unique situation. He knows exactly what it is like to coach a unit that may not have the talent necessary to perform well. When he was the play-caller for the Detroit Lions defense, he endured multiple seasons in which the team could not stop a cold.
It is that experience in the Motor City, however, that Glenn continues to use to show why he won’t give up on Wilks.
“I was fortunate enough to have a coach (Dan Campbell) that believed in me the same way I believe in Wilks,” Glenn said “I just don’t look at one person and say this is all on him. No, this is a collective unit, even with myself making sure that how I communicate the way I want things to look.”
Throughout his first season, the Jets head coach and former cornerback has used experiences and lessons learned in Detroit as a barometer for how things should be done.
As much as Glenn continues to defend his staff, though, New York’s head coach opened the door to review once the season ends.
“I evaluate coaches at the end of the season as we continue to talk and see how we’re going to improve,” he added. “That’s offense, defense, and on special teams. It is a team effort between coach and player.”
It’s smart for Glenn to not push for coaching changes in just his first season at the helm. It provides a sense of stability and confidence in his overall staff.
However, while the coach is quick to defend his defensive coordinator, it also seems like everything will be on the table once the season concludes.
