Jets Coach Glenn Braces for 'History' as Season Spirals

Chicago — Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets is anticipating a barrage of criticism following the team's 23-12 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday, a defeat that further deepens the team's early-season struggles. Glenn expressed concern that the team will be weighed down by the franchise's history of losing, especially as the Jets now stand at 1-3 after their third consecutive loss.

"There are too many people who want to think about history," Glenn said after the game. "Inside that locker room, I want my guys not to think about history, because it’s going to be brought up so much from the outside, people beating us down with history."

The Jets' performance on Sunday at Soldier Field was statistically lopsided. The Bears dominated possession with 42:45 to the Jets' 17:15. Chicago amassed 89 offensive plays compared to the Jets' 32, secured 34 first downs to the Jets' seven, and gained 492 total yards to the Jets' 157. The Bears also rushed for 232 yards on 54 carries.

This disparity has the Jets spiraling in the standings, a direction Glenn is keen to avoid repeating. "We just have to circle the wagons and not let any of that come inside our locker room," Glenn added, emphasizing the need to block out external negativity.

The game saw the Jets penalized 12 times for 76 yards, with three penalties nullifying potential interceptions. The team did manage to end a 20-game streak without an interception when safety Minkah Fitzpatrick picked off Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent in the second quarter.

Bagent, making a start in place of the injured Caleb Williams, outplayed Jets quarterback Geno Smith. Bagent completed 25 of 34 passes for 268 yards. Smith, who had been performing well in the season's first three games, finished 8-for-15 for 119 yards, including a late touchdown pass.

This loss also marks Glenn's second consecutive game against a former colleague from his time as Detroit's defensive coordinator. Last week, the Jets lost to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, and on Sunday, they faced Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who was Detroit's offensive coordinator. Johnson's Bears team made the playoffs in 2025 and holds a 14-7 record under his leadership, contrasting with Glenn's 4-17 record as the Jets' head coach.

Glenn acknowledged his disappointment with the team's performance, citing the penalties that negated turnovers, the offense's inability to capitalize on defensive takeaways, and the defense's struggle to get off the field. "We all have to muster up something inside to get this turned in the right direction when we have a game like this," he stated.

The Jets' current 1-3 record at the quarter mark of the season, coupled with the significant statistical disadvantages observed in their loss to the Bears, evokes concerns about a return to previous losing seasons. The team had finished 3-14 the previous year, and while they point to competitiveness in games as progress, the current trajectory suggests a challenge in overcoming the franchise's history of playoff absence.