Aaron Glenn came into 2026 with a bold claim about what he does best, and through two games, the Jets are making it look pretty real.
New York has opened the season 1-1, but the defense has been the loudest part of the story. The Jets are sitting at No. 1 in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 197 yards per game. Tennessee and Green Bay are the only teams anywhere near that mark, and even then, they’re still only at 197 yards a game.
That’s the kind of number that jumps off the page, especially when it comes without a star-studded cast. The Jets have some quality veterans and promising young pieces, but no reigning All-Pros or Pro Bowlers are carrying the unit. Glenn is getting this kind of production without a loaded roster, and that’s the part that makes it stand out.
Back in February at the NFL Scouting Combine, Glenn made it clear he expected to be the one running the defense in 2026, and he didn’t exactly hide how he felt about the job.
"To me, play calling is my superpower, really. Doing it for four years in Detroit, and, man, just look at the maturation of those four years, of how we improved every year, and how I improved as a play caller.
I really missed doing that. I think it’s a huge part of helping us become the team that I see us becoming."
Two weeks in, that confidence is backed up by the tape and the numbers. The Jets aren’t just shrinking the field; they’re also limiting production on a per-play basis, holding opponents down on third down, and creating pressure at a strong clip.
A look at some @nyjets numbers after 2 weeks and a 1-1 start. SMALL sample size but encouraging...
DEFENSE
1.) No. 1-ranked total defense in the NFL (197 yards per)
2.) No. 2 against the rush (65.5), pass (131.5), pass yards/play (4.31), third down (23.81%) and 20+ passes…
- Eric Allen (@eallenjets) September 22, 2026
And Glenn hasn’t had the luxury of a full deck. Minkah Fitzpatrick, the team’s best defensive back, played only the opening snaps in Nashville in Week 1 before leaving with a groin injury. Joseph Ossai, the Jets’ most expensive free agent, still hasn’t taken the field this season.
Even with those hits, the defense has held together. Glenn has had his issues with clock management, but as a defensive play-caller, he’s showing exactly why he was so eager to take this on. If this level of play sticks, it’ll give Jets fans another reason to buy into their head coach.
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Indianapolis is navigating a shaky stretch with Daniel Jones injured and the defense struggling, while Green Bay has been hit by injuries and recent losses. If those problems linger, New York could end up with three top-10 selections instead of two, giving the Jets a rare chance to remake the top of their roster in one shot. For a team still trying to climb back into contender status, that kind of leverage is hard to ignore. [Read more 🡒]
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Detroit, though, is the kind of opponent that can make a promising afternoon turn messy in a hurry. The Lions have been vulnerable near the goal line, but they also bring an efficient attack led by Jared Goff and backed by Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, and the Jets will have to do it without Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary. That combination leaves New York with a real path to an upset, but also one obvious area where the game could slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Geno Smith Is Climbing Jets History Faster Than Fans Expected
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The climb is notable because it has come so quickly, with Smith now within striking distance of Ryan Fitzpatrick for ninth on that list. He has also thrown 29 touchdowns in green and white, which puts him 13th on the teams leaderboard and adds another layer to a start that has the Jets tracking his place in their history far earlier than many expected. [Read more 🡒]