The Jets spent last season setting records they never wanted, and Aaron Glenn knows exactly why the arrival of Minkah Fitzpatrick matters.
New York’s defense was a mess in Year 1 of the Aaron Glenn era. The Jets became the first team in NFL history not to record a defensive interception and lose five straight games by 23 or more points within a single season. That’s the kind of stain that lingers, and it’s why this offseason had to look different.
It does.
Glenn is now the DC, and Fitzpatrick has stepped in as the veteran presence in the secondary after the Jets acquired him from the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Glenn hasn’t needed long to like what he sees.
"He's extremely smart and he loves football," Glenn said. "And at safety, that's what you're looking for.
Look, I've had some good safeties in my career. Early on, I like exactly where he's at."
Fitzpatrick arrives with a résumé that fits the role. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro and has 21 career interceptions. He also knows how he wants to be used.
"I like moving around," Fitzpatrick said. "I like being able to give the quarterback different looks.
I think when you just sit in a high post all game, they know you're back there and they could dial stuff up for you, but they could also avoid you. So, I like being a chess piece."
The Jets still don’t look like a playoff team to many around the league, but they’re not carrying the same kind of chaos into this season. Before the draft, New York brought in Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, Fitzpatrick from the Dolphins and T'Vondre Sweat from the Tennessee Titans, then added Demario Davis and Tim Patrick.
That overhaul gives the defense two names that should matter right away: Fitzpatrick and Davis. Fitzpatrick singled out Davis with clear respect.
"Not only is he a great football player, he's a great man," Fitzpatrick said about Davis. "I think that's why he's been able to play at the level that he has throughout his career. He's one of those dudes who loves ball, he loves people, he's a very genuine person, very genuine man and he's a guy that has a heart for football and he has a nose for the football as well."
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