Will the New York Jets run a 3-4 defensive scheme, or a 4-3 defensive scheme?
Well, neither, according to head coach Aaron Glenn.
Speaking to the media at the annual NFL owners meetings in Arizona, Glenn emphasized that the Jets will be a “multiple” defense in 2026.
“We will be a multiple defense,” Glenn said. “So, there will be elements of 4-3, there will be elements of 3-4. And I think sometimes, it’s overblown, when you look at it, you’re in nickel like 70% of the time. So, you’re in a four-down spacing for the most part.
“Once you go to base defense, there is a number of things that you can do. I love front variations, so, you will see some four-down fronts, you will see some five-down fronts, and you will see a lot of movement within that. So, I don’t want to sit here and say exactly who we’re going to be, because we’re going to be a little bit of everything.”
It’s a strong answer from Glenn, who highlighted the versatile nature of modern defenses. In a league where three-receiver sets are the norm offensively, defenses are forced to counter with nickel packages (5 DBs) on the majority of their plays, meaning that traditional 3-4 and 4-3 alignments are rare nowadays.
What really sets defenses apart from one another is the principles they play with. And as Jets X-Factor’s Robby Sabo broke down, Glenn’s history as a defensive coordinator suggests that he incorporates principles from both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes alike.
“Multiple” is the most accurate word to describe the Jets’ defensive vision under Glenn.
