Aaron Glenn and Jets coaching staff aced their first preseason test

The New York Jets couldn’t have scripted a better opening act to the 2025 season. After three frustrating years under Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas, Saturday night finally brought a glimpse of real change — and hope — in Florham Park.

As a player, Aaron Glenn made three Pro Bowls with the Jets, so expectations were sky-high when the franchise opted to hire him as the 22nd head coach in franchise history. And the former first-round pick came from Detroit, where the Lions went a combined 36-15 over the last three seasons.

If anybody knows what it’s like to be on the sidelines for a winning football team, it’s the ex-Lions defensive coordinator. And he's quickly living up to those expectations.

In their first in-game action with their new regime, the Jets came to play, dismantling the Green Bay Packers 30-10 in front of a packed crowd at Lambeau Field. That wasn’t just a victory, that was a flat-out beatdown. 

Jets’ preseason masterclass brings long-lost hope back to MetLife Stadium

If you thought you were impressed before, check again. New offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s offense amassed over 400 total yards, including nearly 150 on the ground, and this was with Breece Hall only totaling nine rushing yards on three carries.

It was Donovan Edwards and Braelon Allen who did the majority of the heavy lifting. Guess the Jets' offensive line is ready to maul after all.

In the victory, the Jets wasted no time sending a message to the remainder of the NFL. Justin Fields and the first-team offense immediately set the tone, scoring a touchdown on their opening drive on a long, methodical drive where Garrett Wilson was largely uninvolved.

Even with Mason Taylor inactive, Engstrand was ready to utilize his tight ends. Stone Smartt caught a 24-yard touchdown, Andrew Beck had 36 receiving yards on the opening drive, and even Zack Kuntz and Neal Johnson caught passes.

On the other side of the ball, Steve Wilks’ defense stifled Green Bay, allowing less than 200 yards and recording four sacks on the evening. Moreover, they forced two Green Bay turnovers, including a strip sack of Malik Willis that was recovered in the end zone by Jay Tufele.

And surprise, surprise, Sauce Gardner is still elite. Glenn, who knows the highs and lows of Jets football better than most, couldn’t hide his pride after the game.

“Preseason or not, a win is a win,” Glenn told NY Daily News’ Antwan Staley. “I was always taught that if you want to be a winner, not only do you have to understand how to win, but to understand how to consistently win."

One game in, Glenn’s message is clear: the Jets aren’t interested in moral victories; they want real ones. And for the first time in years, they might have a head coach and staff built to deliver those results. If the Jets keep playing to their strengths, Week 1 will bring optimism back to Florham Park.

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