Following such a demoralizing Week 2 loss, it’s even harder for New York Jets fans to be optimistic about head coach Aaron Glenn.

Not only was it a heartbreaking loss, but Glenn’s game management played a crucial role in why the Jets couldn’t hold onto their double-digit fourth-quarter lead.

However, two games into the 2025 season, there is no doubt that he has shown major improvement in one aspect of his job.

Glenn has the Jets’ defense playing very well

Yes, yes, yes, I know giving Glenn any credit after Sunday’s debacle puts a target on my back. Among folks covering the team, I’ve been one of the most critical of the HC. I even believe it was the wrong choice for the Jets to give him a second season.

However, he deserves credit where credit is due, and so far, he has had the Jets’ defense playing at a very high level. Through two games, here is a look at where the unit ranks in several key metrics:

  • 1st in total yards per game
  • 6th in EPA/play
  • 6th in EPA/pass
  • 9th in EPA/rush
  • 9th in overall success rate
  • 2nd yards per pass attempt allowed
  • 4th in completion percentage allowed
  • 6th in sack%
  • 3rd in forced fumbles

While it’s only two games into the season, Glenn’s defense has played at an elite level. Regardless of the competition, that is impressive, and it is already enough to prove that he is an immense upgrade as a defensive play-caller over Steve Wilks.

Glenn does have a more talented unit to work with compared to Wilks, but even looking at his prior track record, it’s much more inspiring than Wilks’.

What has stood out most is Glenn’s aggressiveness and creativity, which keep the opposing offense guessing.

For example, against Green Bay, one of the Jets’ biggest defensive plays, a Jowon Briggs strip-sack, came on a three-man rush. On a later third-down play, Glenn sent safety Andre Cisco through the middle on a blitz to force a punt. That type of diversity makes quarterbacks uncomfortable.

The defense gave the offense chances to finish the game when they had a lead in the fourth quarter. A Kingsley Enagbare forced fumble gave the Jets the ball within Green Bay’s 20-yard line. The offense could only generate a field goal.

Furthermore, after Skyy Moore’s 63-yard punt return put the Packers in position to take the lead as they began their drive at the Jets’ 19-yard line, the defense held the Packers to just a field goal, which tied the game.

And when Green Bay took over near midfield with 1:15 left in regulation and the score tied, the defense forced overtime. That’s three instances where the defense bailed out the offense and kept the Jets in the game.

Tying everything back to Glenn, though, there is a big difference between Aaron Glenn the defensive coordinator and Aaron Glenn the head coach. He has clearly done a great job calling the defense so far.

However, his job title is “head coach,” and everything that comes with it continues to be a struggle for him. Game management is at the forefront of an HC’s responsibilities. He was a liability in that area in 2025, and early in his second season, not much has changed.

While it’s good to see Glenn’s defense playing at a high level, growth as a game manager will be necessary for him to earn another year as the Jets’ HC. Right now, he is on a rough path in that area.

Defensively, these next few weeks will also be tests. While Glenn limited Love’s impact in Week 2, we will see how he fares against Jared Goff next week and Caleb Williams in Week 4, if he is able to suit up.

The Jets benefited from many breaks on Sunday. Green Bay was 0-6 in their last six games and missing Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs. Wide receiver Jayden Reed got hurt on the first drive of the game and only two starting offensive linemen played the full game.

At the end of the day, the Jets didn’t hire Glenn just to be a defensive mastermind. His football IQ so far has been lacking with his game management decisions, and that is an imperative trait for a head coach.

Just because the Jets lost on Sunday, it doesn’t mean that all the positives should be thrown out the door. Credit is due to Glenn for how he has the defense playing. Still, they lost a winnable game that they should have secured.