It's early, but Aaron Glenn's self-proclaimed superpower has been elite

Whether it was a decision made by head coach Aaron Glenn after the disaster that was Steve Wilks in 2025, or a mandate from New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, Glenn has been calling the defense in 2026, and it's actually been working out pretty well.

There have only been two games so far, but the Jets' defensive stats are incredibly encouraging. They're currently ranked as the No. 1 defense in football in terms of yards given up per game, with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers managing only an average of 197 yards per game.

Glenn's defense has been incredibly stingy, and the best part is, it's not like he's doing it with an all-world roster. New York's defense has some quality veterans and talented youngsters, but there aren't any reigning All-Pros or Pro Bowlers in the mix.

It's why you have to give credit to the Jets' head coach for his work as the defensive play-caller, and although it's still early in the 2026 season, Glenn may just be living up to his offseason proclamation of having a superpower for coordinating a defense.

Aaron Glenn's New York Jets defense living up to his lofty offseason proclamation

At February's NFL Scouting Combine, Glenn confirmed rumors that he would, in fact, be calling the defense for the Jets in 2026, and with a little flair to boot.

"To me, play calling is my superpower, really. Doing it for four years in Detroit, and, man, just look at the maturation of those four years, of how we improved every year, and how I improved as a play caller. I really missed doing that. I think it’s a huge part of helping us become the team that I see us becoming."

Regardless of who actually made the decision for Glenn to take a more hands-on approach with the defense, so far it's proving to be the correct decision.

Not only are the Jets not giving up yards to opposing offenses, but they're limiting their yards gained per play, holding them to few points per game, and getting pressure on quarterbacks at an incredible rate.

And Glenn is doing this rather short-handed. His best defensive back, Minkah Fitzpatrick, played the first few plays of the Jets' defense's first outing on the field in Nashville before exiting with a groin injury in Week 1.

Edge Joseph Ossai, the Jets' most expensive free agent, also hasn't been on the field yet this season. Glenn's making it work with less-than-ideal circumstances.

Despite some of his struggles managing the clock, it's obvious Glenn has a knack for defense. If these numbers stay the same throughout 2026, it will give fans another reason to believe in their head coach.

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