Jets coach defends Aaron Glenn as fanbase turns following 3-14 season

While New York Jets fans are understandably not very high on head coach Aaron Glenn after a 3-14 season in 2025, some assistants were willing to give Glenn a pass due to the brutal situation around him.

One fired assistant from the 2025 team told The Athletic's Jonathan Jones that this past season was the "worst football experience I have had." As bad as that sounds, another former coach actually managed to come around and defend him, insinuating that Glenn was put in an unwinnable situation.

A second fired coach said that the roster Glenn took over was a "five-win team" and was made worse by offloading their best players, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. They noted that the moves may have been the right decisions in the long term and that Glenn had a "good plan" in his first year at the helm. Some fans may believe, as this coach does, that Glenn was in a "tough situation."

Former New York Jets coach defends Aaron Glenn after 3-14 season

As is always the case, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Glenn made a ton of mistakes last season. His in-game management looked extremely poor at times, and many standouts from 2024 managed to regress. Justin Fields didn't just materialize in a Jets jersey out of thin air; Glenn had to sign off on bringing him in.

However, some of Glenn's mistakes can be boiled down to a lack of talent. Fields, Tyrod Taylor, and Brady Cook were the worst quarterback room in the league by a mile. The one above-average pass-catcher the team had in Garrett Wilson was hurt, and the front office was very clearly tanking for positioning in the NFL Draft to close the season. What was he to do?

Glenn had some rotten luck, but he also burned much of his goodwill. The Jets need to take some big steps in the right direction in 2026, or there is a very good chance that he is gone. Yet another season picking in the top three will show a lack of player development, one of Glenn's alleged specialties.

With a newly revamped crew of pass-catchers, both young and old, as well as some grizzled veterans who will immediately raise the floor of the Jets' defense, Glenn has what he needs to at least be competitive. With Geno Smith here to install competency, Glenn can no longer lean on the excuse of wretched quarterback play.

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