After Sunday’s blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the New York Jets have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, according to head coach Aaron Glenn.
“I relieved Steve Wilks from his duties this morning as our defensive coordinator,” Glenn told the media. “I thought the improvement wasn’t there, and I thought it was time to make a change.”
The Jets’ defense has struggled all year long, but has reached new lows over the last two weeks, allowing 48 points to Jacksonville on Sunday and 34 to Miami the week prior.
Glenn said he weighed the decision Sunday night and informed Wilks of his decision on Monday morning.
Under Wilks, the Jets’ defense stood alone as the only unit in the league without an interception. New York also tied the 2024 San Francisco 49ers for the longest streak since 1960 without a pick, going 14 consecutive games — a drought the Jets have yet to break this season.
Glenn announced that defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator Chris Harris will serve as the interim DC and call plays.
Harris spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans as their defensive pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach before joining the Jets’ coaching staff this offseason.
Before his time in Tennessee, Harris served as the Washington Commanders’ defensive backs coach from 2020-22 and held additional defensive roles with the Los Angeles Chargers from 2016-19 and the Chicago Bears from 2013-14.
Harris, widely viewed around the league as a rising head coaching candidate, will now get a three-game audition as a play-calling defensive coordinator.
