The Jets are only a few practices into training camp, but Aaron Glenn already sounds like a coach who knows exactly what he has on defense - and exactly how he wants to use it.
At Wednesday’s practice, Glenn talked openly about the new-look unit he’s building in 2026, and the confidence came through loud and clear. After taking more control of the defense this offseason and naming Brian Duker the new defensive coordinator, Glenn said the early work has only reinforced how comfortable he is with the group.
“When there's an issue on defense, I can quickly fix it,” Glenn said in response to a question about the new-look unit. “I know the defense like the back of my hand. And that feels really, really good.”
That kind of certainty matters for a Jets defense that finished 31st in points allowed and underwent major schematic and personnel changes this offseason. The roster is going to look a lot different, and the expectation is that the unit will look even more different when the season begins.
New arrivals give that overhaul some weight. The Jets brought in veterans Minkah Fitzpatrick, Demario Davis, David Onyemata and Joseph Ossai, adding experience and leadership to the mix. They also traded for third-year nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat and used the draft to add defensive end David Bailey and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds.
Put it all together, and the Jets are staring at a defense that should be borderline unrecognizable from the one they rolled out in 2025. For Glenn, that’s not a concern - it’s the point. He sounds more comfortable, more in command and more excited about where this group can go.
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Breece Hall Just Reignited The Robert Saleh Debate For Jets Fans
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Halls comments pointed to a sense that the franchise feels steadier than it did before, which is exactly the sort of thing Jets fans have been waiting to hear after so many false starts. It also adds a little extra edge to the way this season is framed, because the team is trying to prove that the culture around it has changed for real, not just in theory. For a fan base that has lived through enough resets, the next step is finding out whether that stability actually shows up when the games begin. [Read more 🡒]
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Quincy Skinner is the latest name to enter that competition, giving New York another young receiver to evaluate after his time at Vanderbilt and a previous stint with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent. For a group trying to sort out roles and stay healthy through the opening stretch of camp, the early churn is a reminder that every practice rep matters and that the depth chart can shift fast. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Just Addressed Interest In A Player Fans Will Instantly Debate
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For the Jets, the bigger issue is not just talent evaluation but how far any team wants to go when a players off-field case is still so unsettled. Interest around the league surfaced quickly, with several teams making contact soon after he cleared waivers, and that only adds to the debate for fans who are already weighing football need against everything else attached to the name. New York has at least shown it is looking, but for now the thread remains open. [Read more 🡒]