The New York Jets are deep in rebuild mode-again. After parting ways with Robert Saleh following a 2-3 start last season, the team limped to a 5-12 finish, earning the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
In response, ownership turned to a new voice and a new vision, hiring Aaron Glenn, the former Lions defensive coordinator who played a key role in Detroit’s rise under Dan Campbell. The hope was that Glenn could help spark a similar turnaround in New York.
But as the 2025 season nears its end, the Jets are sitting at 3-11, tied for the fourth-worst record in the league. The early returns on this latest reboot haven’t been encouraging, and the gamble to start Justin Fields at quarterback hasn’t paid off. Fields was expected to bring some dynamic playmaking to an offense that’s struggled for years, but instead, his performance fell flat, leading to a midseason benching and further signaling that this team is still in search of a long-term answer under center.
Despite the disappointing record, the Jets aren’t hitting the panic button on Glenn. According to league sources, the organization never seriously considered the idea of moving on after just one season.
Glenn is expected to return in 2026, with the understanding that this rebuild was never going to be a quick fix. From the outset, this season was about more than wins and losses-it was about laying a foundation, evaluating the roster, and establishing a new culture.
And that’s exactly what Glenn has been tasked with doing.
The Jets’ recent moves make it clear they’re playing the long game. Trading away All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts for two first-round picks and sending star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys in exchange for another first- and second-rounder were bold, franchise-shaping decisions. Those deals aren’t about 2025-they’re about building a roster that can compete for years to come, centered around a future franchise quarterback who likely isn’t on the roster yet.
Glenn, known for his leadership and defensive acumen, is expected to have a voice in that process. His role in helping develop Detroit’s defense into one of the most physical, aggressive units in the league earned him respect across the NFL. Now, he’s tasked with bringing that same edge to a Jets team that’s been stuck in neutral for far too long.
It’s not often that head coaches get a long leash in today’s NFL, especially when the losses pile up. But in this case, the Jets are showing patience-something that’s been in short supply in Florham Park over the last decade. They’re betting that Glenn’s vision, paired with a treasure trove of draft capital, can finally steer the franchise out of the wilderness.
There’s a long way to go, and plenty of questions still to be answered-starting with the quarterback position. But for now, the Jets are sticking with their plan. The teardown is underway, and Aaron Glenn is at the center of it, charged with building something that can last.