Aaron Glenn's Jets defense reaches heights not seen in 25 years after Week 5

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn completely overhauled the team's defensive structure after the embarrassment of the 2025 season, even tossing his preferred 4-3 defensive front to the wind. With New York's win in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, Glenn's defense is putting together a start that hasn't been seen in decades.

The Jets became the first team since the 1999 Tampa Bay Buccaneers to allow fewer than 200 yards in three of their first five games. That Bucs team, which had three players from that unit make All-Pro teams, went 11-5 and only conceded 11 points to the Greatest Show on Turf Rams in the NFC Championship.

The Jets may not have Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp on this defense, but a unit that was the joke of the league last season has made some incremental improvements and looks like a robust, stifling group. Glenn being more hands-on with his defensive approach this season has been a massive win for the Jets.

New York Jets' defense has third sub-200-yard outing of 2026 season in Week 5

To be fair, the Jets haven't played very many elite offenses. Those three games came against a Tennessee Titans team that doesn't look like it can tie its shoes under Robert Saleh, a banged-up Green Bay Packers squad in poor conditions, and this past duel with Cleveland. The mighty Jared Goff-led Detroit Lions and Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears both had their way with the Jets.

However, the Jets have taken advantage of wounded teams, which past squads haven't always done. The biggest issue plaguing this team, outside of the continued lack of turnovers, has been an inability to pressure the quarterback despite investing a ton of resources in improving their defensive line.

With No. 2 pick David Bailey tallying three of the eight sacks of Deshaun Watson, the line woke up for the first time since the victory vs. Tennessee in Week 1. Kingsley Enagbare and Will McDonald both piled up sacks against a Browns offensive line ill-equipped for the task at hand.

The New York Jets' defense has played better than expected in 2026

The linebacker room is night-and-day different from last year, as Demario Davis has raised the floor in the exact way many expected. The secondary, which many believed would be the single biggest area of weakness on this team, has been largely terrific despite Minkah Fitzpatrick missing time with an injury.

Even with the conceded touchdown, Brandon Stephens has teamed with Azareye'h Thomas to form a respectable outside cornerback tandem. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has been a hectic playmaker in the slot, and free agent flier Dane Belton has become an immediate fan favorite and extension candidate due to his tremendous play.

The Jets may not be a great team yet, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich has come under fire for some lackluster game plans, but New York is back to being a more-than-respectable unit on Glenn's side of the ball. Time will tell if they can keep this strong start up.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow