Losses aren't the only troubling statistic that could seal Aaron Glenn's Jets fate

When he wasn’t rebuilding a mediocre defense, Aaron Glenn spent much of this past offseason winning back New York Jets fans’ goodwill and support.

Whatever optimism remained heading into Week 4 evaporated on Sunday, as Glenn and the Jets were humiliated in a 23-12 loss to the Chicago Bears. Although the final score suggests it was competitive, that’s before you realize the Bears put up nearly 500 yards of offense and ran 89 plays to the Jets’ 32.

But wait, there’s more. The Jets have lost three straight and, if Sunday’s performance is any indication, are well on pace for an 11th consecutive losing season. 

“Inside that locker room, I want my guys not to think about history, because it’s going to be brought up so much from the outside, people beating us down with history,” Glenn told reporters. “We just have to circle the wagons and not let any of that come inside our locker room.”

At what point do the New York Jets admit defeat and fire head coach Aaron Glenn?

The Jets finished with 12 penalties for 76 yards, and that somehow wasn’t the only disturbing statistic. According to The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, there are 218 defenders who recorded at least 25 pass-rushing snaps from Weeks 2-4. Rookie edge rusher David Bailey is the only Jets player with at least a 9 percent pressure rate, and his 10.6 percent mark ranks 90th league-wide. 

Although the Jets have recorded nine sacks, they’re not getting contributions from their leading pass rushers. Will McDonald (8.9 percent pressure rate) has only one tackle for loss, a Week 1 sack of Cam Ward. Offseason arrivals T’Vondre Sweat and Joseph Ossai haven’t yet recorded a tackle for loss. 

What’s especially concerning is that the Jets’ 17 tackles for loss are right in line with the league’s 17.7 average, so they are making plays. But the front seven, a unit that entered the year with such high expectations, isn’t finishing the job. Add that to an overall undisciplined unit, and you have two key causes for a 1-3 start.

Glenn’s authentic personality kept the fanbase feeling positive throughout the offseason, even after last year’s dreadful finish. The Geno Smith trade and highly praised draft class made it easy to forget the Jets were outscored 188-54 over their final five games, though all we heard was that things would be vastly different in 2026.

Between the defensive struggles and some baffling offensive decisions, Glenn might be running out of time to save his job. Barring a complete collapse before Thanksgiving, we’re skeptical the Jets would fire him within the coming weeks; Saleh’s October 2024 dismissal marked the first time in the Woody Johnson era (2000-now) that the Jets made a midseason coaching change.

If the Jets fire Glenn before the season ends, it’s worth noting that offensive coordinator Frank Reich is the only member of the Jets’ staff with NFL head-coaching experience. However, the repeated offensive struggles have raised questions about his job security entering next Sunday’s showdown with the 3-1 Browns.

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