A year ago, when Aaron Glenn took on the role of head coach for the Jets, he declared his intention to “win now.”
However, after enduring a challenging first season with a 3-14 record, Glenn and the Jets are now facing a pivotal offseason with numerous questions to address.
One key question surrounds Glenn himself: Is he the right person to end the Jets’ 15-year playoff drought and transform the team into genuine contenders?
As players packed up their lockers on Monday and departed for the offseason, many voiced their belief in Glenn and the culture he’s striving to establish within the team.
“If you watched us at the start of the season, those games were tight, and we were right in them,” shared Jets left guard John Simpson. “The ability to finish is what we lacked last year.”
“I have complete faith in the coaching staff here. It would be an honor to be part of this team again next year,” he added.
Simpson, 28, is scheduled to hit free agency in March. That says a lot when a six-year veteran like him wants to return after what could only be defined as a catastrophic season by several measures.
The Jets didn’t just lose 14 games this season — they were non-competitive in many of them. Nine of their losses came by 10 points or more. The Jets were down by at least 10 points in over 53% of their offensive snaps, a figure unmatched by any other team during the 21st century, according to NFL Research.
In addition, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to lose five consecutive games by 23 points or more. With a makeshift lineup led by undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook during their final five games of the season, the Jets were outscored 188-54.
Gang Green also went the whole season without recording a single interception, which is a first in league history.
“We are all responsible,” Jets safety Andre Cisco said. “Lack of words on that, to be honest with you. It is hard to fathom that we had no interceptions. But I know guys were thinking about it. I know guys are conscious of it throughout the season.”
The Jets haven’t publicly commented on Glenn’s status as head coach. However, the expectation is that he will return for a second season with the Jets after signing a five-year contract.
There were not many positives to take away from Glenn’s first season as coach. Justin Fields, whom the Jets signed to a two-year, $40 million contract, was benched after nine starts. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was also fired after 14 games.
Gang Green’s three victories against the Bengals, Browns and Falcons all came against backup quarterbacks.
Glenn has said that Jets owner Woody Johnson is fully backing him despite having one of the worst records in franchise history. However, many fans on social media have expressed their anger and want a coaching change.
“I understand the emotion that they have with the organization,” Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips said. “You can’t fault 2022, 2020, you can’t fault that on any of the new people who are in this organization.
“As difficult as it might be because they are scarred from past traumas, I know how, when you talk about trauma, PTSD, that’s actually real with how much our fans support us. For 15 years, I can get your frustrations, but for us new people to this organization, it’s our first year, and you gotta give us some grace. If we have the same conversation next year, you can ask me this question and I’ll be able to have a more direct answer to fans. But right now, it’s Year 1 and there’s so much s–t that we have to have figure out.”
One positive for the Jets entering the offseason is their abundance of cap space and draft capital. They are estimated to have over $90 million in salary cap room to help fill a roster that may need upwards of 12 new starters on both sides of the ball.
The Jets will also have eight draft picks, including the No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft. They also have an additional first-round pick (16th overall) after trading cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts at the trade deadline. The Jets also have two second-round picks, with one of them coming in virtue of dealing defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys.
“I believe in AG and everything that he’s preached,” Jets center Josh Myers said. “I’ve been around enough good leaders to know that he’s a great one.
“I trust that we’re gonna come back and have a great season next year. I think it gives another year for his culture to get instilled, which I really do think is going to be the deciding factor in turning this place around. I believe in the culture he’s driving, and I really do think it leads directly to winning. We’ve got guys coming back, guys getting healthy, and then a lot of draft picks.”
