Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn is entering his second season with a significantly reshaped roster and coaching staff, aiming to rebound from a 3-14 record in his debut year. Glenn, who is also taking over defensive play-calling duties, has replaced both offensive and defensive coordinators.
The team will report to training camp with a mix of new veterans and returning players, with the organization hoping for substantial improvement. "I think we've made a ton of progress," Glenn stated in the spring. "I will go back from right after the season and me evaluating myself. The things that I want to get better at, the things that I want to do, the direction I want this team and organization to go in."
A significant on-field change is the return of quarterback Geno Smith, who spent his first two seasons with the Jets before a decade-long tenure elsewhere. Smith, 35, replaces Justin Fields and is expected to provide veteran leadership to an offense that has struggled for years. "I just feel like he's the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land," Glenn said of Smith in March. The offensive line, featuring tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, is considered a team strength, complemented by skill players Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, along with newcomers Adonai Mitchell, Omar Cooper Jr., Mason Taylor, and Kenyon Sadiq.
The defense has also undergone a substantial overhaul. The unit was criticized for allowing the most touchdowns and recording an NFL-record zero interceptions last season. To address this, General Manager Darren Mougey and Glenn have added veteran presence in linebacker Demario Davis, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, and defensive tackle David Onyemata. The team's defense will also feature second-overall draft pick David Bailey, whose development is expected to be a key storyline throughout training camp and the preseason.
Glenn acknowledged the pressure to turn the franchise around and end a 15-year playoff drought. "Every day," he said when asked about thinking about the team's future. "There’s a couple things I think about on a daily basis. I think about the players every day. I think about — I really, really think about this, this is not just coach speak — how do I utilize every player we have on this roster to help us be successful? What are the things I have to make sure [of to] get over that hump? Because I’ve been a part of it, and there’s no better feeling in the world than, we’re downtrodden for a number of years, and then we finally get over that hump and we’re moving. Then it’s: How do we keep that sustainable for years to come? I want to leave a legacy, I do. When I’m gone, I’m looking at this team being a team that consistently puts itself in a place to win."