New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn is concentrating on improving his struggling team rather than dwelling on speculation about his job security. With the Jets at 2-6 and having lost their last three games, Glenn acknowledged the business side of the NFL but emphasized his weekly priority is the team's performance.
"There’s so much that I think about when it comes to us improving each week that that really doesn’t come across my mind, to be honest with you," Glenn said Monday. "I understand how this league is. I understand what this business is about. But my first job of each week is improving this team."
The Jets' recent performances have been particularly disappointing. They lost 28-25 to a previously winless Miami team and subsequently blew a fourth-quarter lead against the Las Vegas Raiders, falling 38-33 at home. Both defeats occurred at MetLife Stadium.
Glenn, a former Pro Bowl cornerback for the Jets, recognizes the need for victories to secure a third season as coach. "Absolutely," he said when asked if he needed wins soon. "I mean, that’s what this is. It’s a bottom-line business and we have to win, but we still have nine games left. So we still have an opportunity to win nine games."
The team faces a challenging upcoming schedule, with matchups against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills, both of whom have strong records.
"Coach has proceeded to explain and express and be emphatic about the same exact message he came in this with," defensive lineman Jowon Briggs said. "I have undying and unyielding resolve and unyielding trust in what Coach got going on, just as any other guy in this locker room. And I'm pretty proud to play on a team that's led by him, and we're going to continue to work to make this something that everybody's proud of."
Areas the Jets aim to improve include their run game, which saw a season-best 166 yards against Las Vegas, and their red zone offense, where they converted only 2 of 6 scoring opportunities into touchdowns. The team also aims to produce more in the final two minutes of the first half, an area where they've been outscored significantly under Glenn.
Improvements have been seen in the passing game with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, who recorded a career-high 147 yards in his second game back from injury. However, special teams have underperformed compared to the previous season, including allowing the NFL's first kickoff return for a touchdown this season.
Running back Breece Hall is nearing a return from a quadriceps injury. Glenn affirmed Hall's importance to the team, stating, "Breece is still a part of this team. ... We’re in the business of keeping good players and he’s one of our better players. So Breece will still be here."
Rookie edge rusher David Bailey missed his first game with a groin injury, and rookie wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. had no targets against Las Vegas after two consecutive games with over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Glenn faces the task of keeping the Jets competitive in the coming weeks, while general manager Darren Mougey will decide on potential trades ahead of the NFL's trade deadline on Nov. 10.