Aaron Glenn basically sealed one Jets player’s fate after Week 1 mistake

Aaron Glenn didn’t mince words after the New York Jets’ heartbreaking Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The first-year head coach made it clear that costly turnovers won’t be tolerated, and one mistake may have already sealed a player’s fate.

Glenn told reporters after the game that turnovers proved to be the difference in the game, and while he didn't name names specifically, return man Xavier Gipson was the only Jets player to cough the ball up in Sunday's loss.

Gipson fumbled twice in Week 1, with his second miscue setting up the Steelers for what proved to be the decisive fourth-quarter touchdown. Glenn took his criticism a step further, insisting that changes were likely on the way.

The first-year head coach insisted that Gipson's fumble is "something that needs to be addressed" before saying that players who make mistakes like that "will not be on the field."

He didn't specifically say that Gipson's time as the Jets' punt returner was over, but he made it clear that ball security issues will not be tolerated. The writing seems to be on the wall.

"The one thing to me that turned this game is man we can’t have turnovers, can’t do it. That is something that will be addressed because you will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games, if you’re going to cause issues like that, so we will get that addressed."

Aarom Glenn

Aaron Glenn may have just sealed Xavier Gipson's Jets fate

The Jets' decision to keep Gipson their roster as the team's starting punt returner was a controversial one, to say the least. The former UDFA was firmly outplayed by undrafted rookie Jamaal Pritchett as both a receiver and returner this summer, but the Jets opted to stick with the incumbent instead.

This was despite the fact that Gipson has been one of the worst return men in the NFL over the last two seasons. Gipson led the league in both muffed punts (four) and fumbles on punt returns (three) in 2024.

Glenn and the Jets' coaching staff spoke highly of Gipson this summer, insisting that his ball security issues were behind him after a supposedly impressive string of practices. Evidently, that isn't the case.

The Jets were able to re-sign Pritchett to their practice squad, and it's worth wondering how long the team will wait before giving the South Alabama product an opportunity. Glenn's words make it seem like that change could be coming sooner rather than later.

Gipson doesn't offer nearly the side Pritchett does as a returner, and it's clear his ball security issues also plummet his floor. There wasn't really an argument in favor of keeping him on the roster after the summer, and there's even less of one now.

With kick returner Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) potentially sidelined, the Jets’ return specialist role is even more crucial. They can’t afford to keep sending Gipson out there every week, and Glenn seems to understand that reality.

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