Jets fans have been through enough over the years to know when it’s time to move forward - and when it’s time to leave the past in the rearview. That’s exactly where Todd Bowles belongs.
Let’s be clear: Bowles is a respected defensive mind in NFL circles. He’s a Super Bowl-winning coordinator and has had success leading units that play with discipline and toughness. But when it comes to the Jets - and the idea of a reunion - there’s simply no traction, and more importantly, no reason.
The buzz started when ESPN radio host Jake Asman floated the idea of Bowles returning to Florham Park in some capacity. That speculation didn’t last long.
ESPN Jets insider Rich Cimini quickly shut it down, tweeting there’s “no chance” of Bowles coming back. And honestly, that response tracks with how the organization - and the fanbase - remembers his tenure.
Bowles took over in 2015, inheriting a franchise trying to find its footing after the Rex Ryan era. His first season was promising - a 10-6 finish that had the Jets on the doorstep of the playoffs.
But that momentum disappeared fast. Over the next three years, Bowles’ teams never won more than five games in a season.
The Jets spiraled into irrelevance, and the playoff drought that began in 2011 only grew longer.
It wasn’t just the losses. It was the lack of identity.
Under Ryan, the Jets were chaotic, sure - but they had a pulse. They had swagger.
They had belief. Bowles brought a stoic, no-nonsense demeanor that never quite translated to the locker room or the field.
His teams lacked energy and often looked unprepared, especially on offense. And while the defense had its moments, it never reached the elite level that might’ve justified keeping him around.
Now, with the Jets once again staring down a crossroads on defense, Bowles’ name has surfaced in some circles. But let’s dig into the reality.
The Jets’ defense this season has been a major disappointment. Ranked 21st overall, 30th against the run, and 30th in points allowed, the unit has underperformed across the board.
That’s not what anyone expected from a group led by Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks - two coaches with strong reputations and experience. Wilks, who had been brought in with hopes of stabilizing things, was dismissed earlier this month after the defense continued to unravel.
The Jets are now in the market for a new defensive coordinator, and understandably, they’re casting a wide net. But there’s a difference between exploring fresh ideas and recycling old ones.
Bowles, currently overseeing a defense that ranks 23rd and is fading fast from the playoff picture, doesn’t offer the kind of spark or upside the Jets need. His track record in New York speaks for itself - and it’s not one worth revisiting.
This team needs energy. It needs a vision.
It needs a coordinator who can maximize a talented core and bring a renewed sense of urgency to a unit that’s underperformed. That’s not Bowles.
Not anymore. His strengths as a defensive strategist are best suited elsewhere, not in a return to a franchise that’s already tried that path.
The Jets are at a pivotal point. With a defense that’s underachieved and an offense still searching for consistency, every coaching decision matters.
They have to get this hire right. And that means looking forward - not back.
So, yes, let’s talk about coordinator candidates. Let’s break down schemes, track records, and fit. But when the conversation turns to Todd Bowles, it’s time to move on.