Aaron Glenn tries his best to downplay Jets-Robert Saleh revenge game narrative

New York Jets fans have had Week 1 circled for months, and not solely because it represents their latest attempt at optimism and faith. 

The NFL decided to have some fun at the Jets’ expense, having them open against Robert Saleh and the Titans in Tennessee. Sunday marks the first time Saleh will coach against the Jets since his October 2024 firing. 

Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Glenn tried to downplay the revenge game narrative that has flooded social media since May’s schedule release. 

"It’s a game that we're going there to win. It doesn’t matter who it is."

Aaron Glenn

Sunday’s reunion with Robert Saleh should matter to Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets

Glenn lost his first game against a former Jets coach last year, when Todd Bowles’ Buccaneers rallied for a thrilling Week 3 victory. For the sanity of everyone involved, Jets fans can only hope that history doesn’t repeat this time around.

The modern sports climate has made it extremely difficult for players or coaches to make things personal, at least when speaking to the media. Saying that you want to avenge an earlier loss is acceptable, but only a select few can get away with calling out an opposing coach or executive. You don’t want to say the wrong thing and potentially alienate a future employer, especially in a time of free agency and constant job-hopping.

Rivalries don’t mean what they used to, though the only shared history the Jets and Titans have is their name. Those too young to remember the 2009 AFL jerseys might not know that, prior to adopting their current name, the Jets were initially the Titans. 

But there is bad blood, at least on the Titans’ side. Former Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas, who reunited with Saleh in Tennessee, ripped the organization this week for how it handled Saleh’s dismissal; although the Jets were 2-3 when he was fired, they’d also lost 19 of their last 27 games dating back to 2022. 

Glenn and Saleh have never worked together, though we’re sure they have some mutual friends. Obviously, Glenn is coaching many of Saleh’s former players, and Thomas is among multiple ex-Jets who have since gone to Tennessee. It’s difficult to believe that there isn’t anyone in the Jets’ locker room who had issues with Saleh and wants to make his Sunday afternoon miserable.

Instead, Saleh opted for the politically safe commentary ahead of Week 1, and Glenn evidently cares more about a 1-0 start. Consider that yet another reason why Glenn is successfully winning over the fan base.

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