Jets defense gives Aaron Glenn a dream start as defensive play caller

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is putting the responsibility for the team's defense in 2026 on himself, as he decided to call defensive plays instead of defensive coordinator Brian Duker. After just one week, Jets fans can feel better about how this unit will look, despite the Tennessee Titans proving to be an underwhelming opponent for this team.

Glenn coached his team to a 23-10 victory, and that scoreline is only as close as it is due to a late touchdown from Cam Ward in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter while down 23-3. The Jets didn't record a single game last year in which they allowed fewer than 13 points, and Glenn managed to keep them under that threshold instantly.

While just about every other opponent on the schedule is going to provide a heartier challenge than what Tennessee put on display, the extremely early returns suggest that when Glenn is able to get his hands on the defense, positive results will follow. After how last season ended, Glenn needed this to get him back on track.

New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn thrived as defensive play-caller vs. Titans

Not only did Glenn's defense allow only 10 points, but Tennessee didn't even hit 200 total yards combined in this game. This came with a late-game prevent defense conceding a march down the field for an inconsequential touchdown. That drive was the only one the Titans had that lasted more than two minutes and 20 seconds.

Top pick David Bailey, Kingsley Enagbare, and Will McDonald each had a sack, and the Titans didn't even attempt to run the ball early in this game. The Jets knew they had a major advantage in the trenches, as even a Joseph Ossai-less defensive line was able to impose its will against Dan Moore Jr. and JC Latham up front.

Keep in mind that this performance came with a beat-up Jets defense. Minkah Fitzpatrick left the game early with an injury, as did starting nickel and ex-Titan Jarvis Brownlee Jr. With safety Dane Belton getting nickel snaps and Braiden McGregor (who had his best game as a pro) in the pass rush rotation, Glenn thrived.

New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn looked at home calling plays in Week 1

While Glenn was never the greatest defensive coordinator from a statistical point of view in Detroit, his coaching in the Motor City received rave reviews. Glenn helped craft quality units despite no elite second pass rusher outside of Aidan Hutchinson and resorting to pulling cornerbacks off the street; the Jets' roster appears to have given him a higher talent base.

Not only did Glenn look like his old self in Week 1, but much-maligned offensive coordinator hire Frank Reich turned back the clock in what was a very encouraging performance. Buoyed by a solid offensive line, Reich oversaw an efficient Geno Smith game with a dominant showing on the ground as well.

If the Jets are going to turn this thing around under Glenn's watch, winning as they did against the Titans could create a formula they can continue to follow.

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