Aaron Glenn wasn’t about to let the hit define Minkah Fitzpatrick.
After the Jets veteran safety delivered a crushing blow on Browns rookie receiver KC Concepcion in Week 5, Glenn came to his defender’s defense when asked about the play. The hit left Concepcion with a concussion and briefly had him lying on the field in a frightening scene for Cleveland.
Fitzpatrick has drawn his share of criticism over the years from fans of other teams, and the play in Cleveland immediately sparked debate. On one hand, the contact was violent enough to make the hit look questionable. On the other, Glenn made clear he didn’t see it as a player trying to injure someone.
“Listen, I think Minkah initially tired to go with the shoulder and just like always, I mean, sometimes you say the offensive guy might put their head down -- it's not like he tried to do it or the offensive guy tried to do it,” Glenn said, per SNY.
“It's just some of those things that happen in a bang bang situation and they're tough to call -- I do know this, Minkah is not a dirty player, he's never been a dirty player -- I'm glad to see Concepcion get up and walk off the field, but no, I don't think Minkah is a dirty player.”
That was the line Glenn stuck to, and it’s hard to ignore his point about Fitzpatrick’s reputation. He’s long been viewed as a hard hitter who can pop somebody when he gets the opportunity, but not as the kind of player who goes hunting for cheap shots.
The hit itself was hard to watch. Concepcion was down immediately afterward, and the aftermath made the moment feel even worse. Still, Glenn’s read was straightforward: violent football in a bang-bang situation, not dirty intent.
In Other News...
Jets Could Take A Huge Pass Rush Gamble Next To David Bailey
The Jets are already thinking ahead to the 2027 NFL Draft, where edge rusher could be one of the areas they try to address around David Bailey. With multiple first-round picks in hand, New York has the kind of draft capital that can change how aggressive a team is when it spots a pass-rush talent it likes, especially if the front office believes the roster will have enough veteran presence to help keep younger players on track.
One name to watch is South Carolinas Dylan Stewart, a high-upside defender whose profile comes with some off-field baggage that has already complicated his stock. Even so, the Jets may be in a position to weigh the upside against the risk, and how far theyre willing to go for help opposite Bailey could end up telling us plenty about how bold they plan to be with those premium picks. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Rookie May Have Earned A Bigger Role At Perfect Time
Darrell Jackson Jr. is starting to look like more than a developmental piece on the Jets defensive front. The rookie tackle made his presence felt against the Browns, flashing the kind of length and disruption that can change a drive in a hurry, and coach Aaron Glenn has already pointed to Jacksons work in practice and the way he uses his size as reasons for the growing confidence around him.
The timing could not be much better for a defense getting ready to face New England. The Patriots may be without left tackle Will Campbell, which only increases the importance of interior pressure and forces the Jets to consider where Jackson fits as the matchup plan takes shape. Whether his recent surge translates into a bigger role is the next question, but he has at least given the coaching staff something useful to think about. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Glenn Is Fueling A Jets Debate Fans Cant Ignore
Aaron Glenn has brought a sharper edge to the Jets defense, and that part of his early work is hard to miss. The unit looks more organized and more disruptive, which matters for a team trying to establish any kind of identity under a first-year head coach who is also trying to oversee the whole operation.
But the bigger question around Glenn is no longer just about play-calling or scheme. It is about whether the posture he brings on game day, and the way he carries himself with players and officials, fits a team still searching for direction and sitting near 1-4. The defense has given him something tangible to point to, yet the broader head coach picture is where the debate keeps getting louder. [Read more 🡒]