The New York Jets have brought in 11 new faces to try and build off of what was a disappointing season in 2025 under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. As the pressure continues to mount, the Jets have done a good job of building on their talent.

There’s a common theme among those many additions.

They all say they wanted to play for Glenn.

Glenn’s influence on the free agent market has helped the Jets so far. It’s the one thing that binds all hope together in 2026.

Glenn’s influence

It started early in free agency. As a former player, Glenn’s influence on incoming free agents was a key calling card in bringing in several quality veterans to the roster.

One of those was former Chicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright. The Pro Bowler tied for second in the NFL with five interceptions last season and signed a one-year deal with the Jets worth just over $5 million.

To him, being taught by a former star in Glenn was something other teams couldn’t offer.

“He knows what he wants, and I think when you have a coach that knows what he wants, you’re in for a good one,” Wright said on the team’s website. “He was a successful cornerback in his own playing career. I think it’s good when you have someone who can relate to you and knows what it looks like, and he played it at a high level as well.”

Wright isn’t the only player who based their free agent decision on the Jets coach. Linebacker Demario Davis and defensive tackle David Onyemata also name-dropped Glenn as a big reason for their final decision.

Even players who didn’t have prior experience with Glenn, like safety Dane Belton, have a belief in what the Jets coach is preaching.

“Just looking at the organization, the leadership from top to bottom,” Belton said. “Aaron Glenn, defensive head coach. What he’s done as a player in the league, and also as a defensive coordinator and head coach. Just really intriguing and I want to be a part of it. And the culture, talking to guys that I know that were on the team before, talking about what they’re building toward. It really excites me and I’m happy to be here.”

A head coach has to do a lot of things well at the NFL level. They have to be adept with in-game adjustments and heat-of-the-moment decisions. They also have to manage egos and entice top players to become members of their organization.

The jury is still out on whether Glenn can ever be a successful head coach. One thing he does well, though, is galvanize veterans to want to come to New York.

Jets’ 2026 hopes

It is not hyperbole to say that it is do-or-die time for Glenn as head coach of the Jets. After just a single year on the job, the former Pro Bowl player is already on the hot seat.

To save his job, Glenn must not only win games but also improve the quality of play from his roster. If the Jets go 7-10, but the team is blown out and uncompetitive in many games, it will be hard for the front office to trust the coach for a third season.

If the Jets have a below-.500 record but the quality of play improves, then the argument is there to retain Glenn in 2027.

That is where the Jets are. It is why the team has been focused on bringing in players who not only wanted to be members of the organization but also believed in Glenn’s principles.

“Once my agents let me know the Jets were an option, it was a no-brainer,” said Demario Davis. “I didn’t even need a conversation with [Glenn] to get on board, to see what he’s building here with the culture. There’s just a ton of excitement.”

For once, New York is hoping that excitement may finally turn to wins.