Aaron Glenn's passion called into question after lackluster reaction to Bears loss

Even going back to his playing career, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn has long had a reputation for letting his passion show — on the field, at least. 

Off the field, specifically when speaking with the media, is a far different story. Glenn turned heads last year for being confrontational with the media, especially as the losses piled up amid a 3-14 finish. 

Speaking on the Jets Collective podcast, ESPN’s Rich Cimini admitted he remains surprised by Glenn’s approach to press conferences, particularly following the Week 4 loss to Chicago.  

“I thought he would be a little tougher in his public persona,” Cimini said. “Just in terms of telling how it is, being critical ... I still thought he would be a little bit more stern publicly.”

Cimini also made it clear that Glenn and the coaching staff hold players accountable behind closed doors. 

Has New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn cost himself the fanbase’s support?

Cimini noted that Glenn played for former Jets coach Bill Parcells, who wasn’t afraid to criticize his players publicly when appropriate. The two also overlapped in Dallas during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. 

Glenn’s demeanor last Sunday maintained the status quo: the “I’m not mad, I’m disappointed” approach. The problem: That strategy works far better when coaching a team that has actually managed a winning season over the past decade. 

“You create the perception by what you say to the fanbase, and I think he’s just a little too Pollyanna after these losses,” Cimini said.

Unfortunately for Glenn, the Bears' loss arguably ended whatever legitimate hope remained of changing the “same old Jets” narrative. The 12 penalties and record offensive inefficiency painted an all-too-telling picture of the organization’s short-term future. 

The bottom line is the Jets are 4-17 in Glenn’s first 21 games. Brian Callahan was 4-19 when the Titans fired him last October, and their roster was far less talented than what Glenn and Darren Mougey built this past offseason. 

Perhaps the most unfortunate part is that Glenn spent so much of that time trying to convince Jets fans that things would be different. We’ve said it before, but he’s genuine in a way that neither Adam Gase nor Robert Saleh ever were. The constant losing means far more to him than simply the impact on his job security. 

But much like Saleh, maybe Glenn is better off as a defensive coordinator. Not every successful assistant is meant to be a head coach, and we’re seeing history repeat itself in Tennessee. As the Jets potentially inch closer to a top-five pick, should fans truly feel comfortable pairing him with a rookie quarterback?

Remember, Glenn played eight seasons with the Jets, so he knows full well how difficult it is to win back a fanbase. Barring a remarkable 13-game turnaround, the damage might already be done. 

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