The New York Jets haven’t had much to celebrate on the defensive side of the ball this season, and the past few weeks have only added to the frustration. After surrendering 48 points in a blowout loss to the Jaguars in Week 15, head coach Aaron Glenn made a decisive move, parting ways with defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
Chris Harris stepped in as the interim play-caller, but the results didn’t improve. The Jets followed that up with a 29-6 loss to the Saints in Week 17 - another game where the defense struggled to find its footing.
But even in the middle of a tough stretch, there’s been a silver lining - and it comes in the form of linebacker Mykal Walker.
Walker, a former fourth-round pick out of Fresno State, has quietly become one of the more reliable pieces on a defense that’s been in flux. Despite the availability of Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams, Walker has been seeing significant snaps at linebacker - and he’s making them count.
Against the Saints in Week 16, Walker put together one of his most complete performances of the season. He racked up seven total tackles, including three run stops, and didn’t miss a single tackle all game - a stat that stands out on a defense that’s had its share of missed assignments.
In coverage, he was just as sound, allowing only two catches on three targets for a total of seven yards. According to Pro Football Focus, his efforts earned him an 89.3 grade for the week - the second-highest among all linebackers in Week 17.
It’s the kind of performance that turns heads inside a front office, especially one in the middle of a roster overhaul. Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are clearly in evaluation mode as the season winds down, and Walker is giving them something to think about heading into 2026. He’s not just filling in - he’s making a case to stick around.
With two games left in the season, Walker’s emergence is worth watching. On a team still searching for answers, he might just be carving out a role for the future.