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Rich Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A peek into the current state of the New York Jets:
1. Initial appearance revisited: Aaron Glenn is set to make his debut as head coach this Sunday, facing off against Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, a coach ranked 12th in all-time NFL wins. This inaugural challenge mirrors his entry into the league as a player back in 1994.
In a game held at the old Giants Stadium against the Buffalo Bills, Glenn was immediately pitted against future Hall of Famers. On Buffalo’s initial offensive play, Glenn was matched up against Andre Reed. Jim Kelly swiftly identified this matchup and targeted the Jets’ rookie cornerback with a pass intended for his favorite target.
The pass fell incomplete — a promising start for Glenn. He performed admirably that day, as well as in subsequent weeks against John Elway and Dan Marino — a formidable lineup of quarterbacks. Then-Jets coach Pete Carroll remarked at the start of this stretch, “[Glenn] will discover what the Hall of Fame truly represents.”
“I felt the nerves — I know I did — and I anticipate feeling them again for this game,” Glenn stated, drawing parallels between his 1994 debut and Sunday’s home opener at MetLife Stadium. “It’s simply part of who I am. I’ll consistently have that feeling within me, and I can sense it.
“However, at a certain juncture, it tends to dissipate very, very quickly, and I become fully engrossed in my responsibilities as a coach, much like I did as a player.”
In terms of demanding circumstances, this scenario parallels the challenge of facing Kelly-Elway-Marino. Glenn assumes leadership of a franchise that has endured nine consecutive losing seasons, and his opening three games are against teams that participated in the 2024 playoffs: the Steelers, Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
This Sunday, Glenn will encounter a quarterback destined for the Hall of Fame, who would relish the opportunity to spoil the coach’s homecoming celebration, despite his attempts to downplay it in recent days. Aaron Rodgers, harboring a long memory, believes he was unfairly treated by Glenn during his departure seven months prior — an abrupt conclusion to his two-year tenure with the Jets.
All of which intensifies the spotlight on Glenn. A formidable opening challenge. A consistently demanding role.
“It presents an extraordinary level of difficulty,” Jason Glenn, Aaron’s younger brother and a former Jets linebacker, noted on the “Flight Deck” podcast. “It’s New York, after all.”
Jason Glenn, whose career concluded with the Minnesota Vikings, observed that his brother reminds him of his Vikings defensive coordinator from 2006. That coordinator secured his first head coaching position the following year. Glenn sensed that his former DC would flourish in his new city because “you can simply discern how certain individuals align with specific organizations.”
Regarding his older brother, “Aaron is a natural fit for New York.”
Interestingly, Jason Glenn’s DC in Minnesota? It was Tomlin, who was appointed by Pittsburgh in 2007.
2. Grounds for optimism: Anything is possible in the NFL, correct?
For 35 consecutive seasons, a minimum of four teams have advanced to the playoffs after failing to do so the previous season. In 26 of the past 29 seasons, at least one team has secured a playoff berth after finishing in last place or tied for last place. The Los Angeles Chargers, Vikings, and Washington Commanders achieved this feat last year.
Early in the offseason, Glenn characterized the Jets as a “win-now” team. In the past week, he walked back those remarks, opting for a less specific response when asked to define a successful season.
“My objective is to cultivate a team that fans can observe and express pride in,” Glenn stated. “And if that sentiment is voiced, I’ll be content. I’ll be content because, within that affirmation, I recognize that victories will naturally follow.”
3. AVT’s uncertain timeline: Right tackle Armand Membou is set to become the first Jets rookie offensive lineman to start on opening day since Alijah Vera-Tucker in 2021. The intention was for them to play side-by-side for 2025 and beyond, but Vera-Tucker’s season-ending triceps injury is expected to have significant ramifications.
Prior to the injury, the Jets were contemplating extending Vera-Tucker’s contract, which is set to expire after the current season. However, this now seems improbable. This marks his third major surgical procedure in four years, raising considerable concerns about his long-term availability. He will likely need to accept a one-year “prove-it” deal, maintain his health throughout 2026, and aspire to secure a lucrative free-agent contract in 2027.
Whether that occurs with the Jets is yet to be determined.
4. Unfortunate circumstances: The Jets have encountered consistent challenges with their offensive line. Since 2020, they’ve invested four first-round picks in that unit (equaling the New Orleans Saints for the highest in the league), with hopes of transforming it into a dominant force. This vision has yet to materialize; the line remains a work in progress, primarily due to injuries.
The first two selections spent more time in rehabilitation than on the field. Mekhi Becton was absent for 36 out of 67 games. Vera-Tucker is projected to miss 42 out of 85 games by the end of the season. Neither player had a history of injuries in college, although Becton struggled with weight management.
Sometimes, unfavorable circumstances arise.
5. Aspiring to captain status: Cornerback Sauce Gardner expressed mild disappointment at not being selected as a captain by his teammates. This outcome seemed like a natural progression for him, particularly given that wide receiver Garrett Wilson received the honor. Both players were drafted in the same year and received substantial contract extensions before training camp.
The other captains are: Justin Fields and Vera-Tucker on offense; Jamien Sherwood and Quinnen Williams on defense; and Marcelino McCrary-Ball on special teams.
“I did experience a certain feeling,” Gardner admitted. “I thought, ‘There are three captains on offense, so why not have three on defense?'”
He explained that Wilson and Vera-Tucker were tied in the voting, which accounted for the extra captain on offense. Gardner stated that this won’t affect his leadership approach, adding, “I’m not overly concerned about it, but it’s something I aspire to achieve at some point in my career.”
6. The green squad: Are the Jets a youthful team? The answer is nuanced.
As of Friday, their 53-man roster was the second youngest in the league, trailing only the Green Bay Packers. This signifies a relatively inexperienced team, yet they feature only eight rookies, with only two expected to play significant roles: Membou and tight end Mason Taylor. Wide receiver Arian Smith could potentially become the third, but his role remains less defined.
Last year’s team, which was assembled with the intention of contending for a championship (at least, that was the initial plan), began the season with nine rookies.
7. A game-changer: Following a recovery period of 358 days, Jermaine Johnson has returned from a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is known for his relentless effort, and the coaching staff anticipates that he will invigorate the defensive front four.
Reviewing footage of Johnson’s initial training camp practices, defensive coordinator Steve Wilks commented that it was as if “I had the speed cranked up, given the intensity and explosiveness they were displaying off the ball.”
8. Positioned for a strong rushing performance: Barring any injuries, Fields is likely to become the most prolific rushing quarterback in Jets history. He averages 50 rushing yards per game. At that rate, he would surpass the single-season record (453 yards, Al Dorow, 1960) in 10 games and shatter the career mark (821, Richard Todd) in his 17th game.
9. Interesting fact: The Jets have played exactly 1,000 regular-season games in franchise history, according to Pro Football Reference. Their history dates back to 1960, when they were known as the New York Titans. For those curious, their current record stands at 433-559-8, translating to a .437 winning percentage.
Perhaps their second 1,000 games will yield more favorable results.
10. Final thoughts: “What’s the saying? The larger the dragon, the more heroic the figure, the more compelling the narrative.” — defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, expressing his anticipation about facing Rodgers.
