Aaron Glenn is the cultural revolution the NY Jets need to change everything

The NFLPA released its annual team report cards for the 2024 season last week, and the New York Jets ranked 29th out of 32 teams overall.

The Jets ranked near the bottom of the NFL in nearly every category, with their lowest scores in the owner evaluation section. While this was not unexpected coming off a turbulent 2024 season, it's the type of report that is not exactly a ringing endorsement for prospective players who may consider joining the Jets through free agency.

The uncharacteristically impulsive decisions of team owner Woody Johnson last season — firing Robert Saleh after just five games and making other questionable changes to the team's operation — played a major role in the ownership’s grade plummeting from a 'B-minus' last offseason to a league-worst 'F' grade.

The negative press the Jets received last season undoubtedly impacted the team's head coaching search. Several prominent head coaching candidates either passed on the opportunity to be interviewed, quietly removed themselves from the process, or, as in the case of Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, didn't make time to show up for a scheduled audition.

Luckily for the Jets, a premier candidate wanted to be the team's head coach and the franchise's new leader more than he needed oxygen: Aaron Glenn.

The returning favored son, Glenn, has more power and influence than your typical first-time head coach. He's back home to revitalize his former team and impact the Jets building, like his mentor Bill Parcells did nearly three decades ago.

The NFLPA report hit the Jets hard in the locker room environment and culture aspect. Fortunately, the Jets have two new coaches, Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who have stellar reputations among players.

Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks can help transform the NY Jets' reputation

That's because in 2024, Glenn and Wilks were graded by NFL players as being the top two defensive coordinators in the league.

NFL players rated their offensive, defensive, and/or special teams coordinators in conjunction with the NFLPA Player Team Report Card project, an anonymous, comprehensive player survey conducted among all 32 teams.

Glenn was ranked first with Detroit, Wilks second with San Franscisco. Although both are considered player-coaches, Glenn and Wilks are cut from the same cloth, being respected for their tough love approaches to players.

Coaches receiving high marks from their players is not always proof positive of on-field success. After all, the Jets' head coaching spot received a 'B' grade in 2024, likely due to players' positive dealings with Saleh and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich.

However, especially in the case of Aaron Glenn, who is the de facto leader of the New York Jets football team — more so than his colleague Dan Campbell is in Detroit — Glenn's influence and reputation may be the catalyst the Jets need to alter the team's perception and effectively reshape a decayed culture.

Winning will ultimately be the only cure-all for the Jets' ailments, but you must plant the right seeds internally to see any potential growth. Aaron Glenn and his staff may be the sowers the franchise desperately needs.

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