The Jets enjoyed stability on defense for three-plus seasons, having Robert Saleh overseeing Jeff Ulbrich. The unit made tremendous strides in 2022 and remained one of the league’s best in 2023. Woody Johnson went around then-GM Joe Douglas and fired Saleh in October 2024. The Jets’ defense has not regained its form since.
Although the Jets did rank third in total defense under Ulbrich last year, they dropped to 20th in scoring and 21st in EPA per play. No silver lining was present under Steve Wilks, who oversaw the league’s 30th-ranked scoring unit (20th in yardage, 28th in EPA per play) and was fired after Week 15. This marks Wilks’ fifth straight one-and-done stretch in the NFL; overall, the former Panthers and Cardinals HC has not stayed with the same team/college program since his first Panthers stint ended after the 2017 season.
Wilks, 56, ran into internal opposition during his rough Jets stay. Many players viewed Wilks’ scheme as ineffective, according to SNY.tv’s Connor Hughes, who adds one unnamed player questioned Wilks in a meeting. Another player repeatedly questioned his usage and lack of freedom within the scheme.
The Jets struggling defensively after the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades was to be expected, but Wilks’ unit was not doing well before those deadline moves. Wilks’ Jets work has not approached where the 49ers were (third in scoring defense, eighth in yardage) during his one-off with the NFC West club, and the veteran defensive boss’ stock continues to fall.
Wilks, though, worked under a defense-oriented HC. Aaron Glenn certainly deserves blame for the defense’s shape. The Jets have given up 82 points over the past two games — both blowout losses. While Gang Green’s quarterback situation has contributed heavily to those one-sided defeats — to the Dolphins and Jaguars — Glenn’s first year has gone poorly. Given the state of the franchise when the former Jets cornerback took over, a quick turnaround was not exactly expected.
Johnson also strongly endorsed Glenn at the October owners’ meetings, doing so while criticizing then-starter Justin Fields. Still, the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora notes Glenn is “far from assured” to be back for a second season. Considering the heat Johnson took for meddling last year and Glenn signing a five-year contract, it would be quite surprising to see the Jets pull the trigger now. We also heard last month Glenn was safe for 2026, with the rookie HC being involved in the decisions the Jets made at the trade deadline.
This coaching market is not exactly teeming with talent that would inspire confidence an upgrade is in store, with a host of defense-based leaders as the top candidates. The Jets firing Glenn after one season would further depict this as an unstable organization. It should still be expected Glenn returns for 2026, when the team will hold two first-round picks thanks to the Gardner trade. But the heat may be rising already for the former Lions DC.