Steve Wilks' return to the NFL proves ex-Jets can really do no wrong

The New York Jets had one of the worst defenses in the NFL in 2025. It was so bad under ex-defensive coordinator Steve Wilks that the team decided to fire him before the season even came to an end, cutting ties with the veteran coach on the heels of a 48-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15.

Last year's Jets defense finished bottom-eight in terms of giving up yards per game to opponents, surrendering 355.6 per contest. Their run defense was particularly bad, allowing teams to run for an average of 139.5 rushing yards per game, fourth-worst in the NFL.

It was hard not to pin those woes on Wilks, and it's ultimately why he lost his job. The Jets aren't perfect in 2026, but with Aaron Glenn now calling the shots on defense, those numbers have improved remarkably, and that's thanks to some personnel changes, alongside the difference in defensive play-calling.

Regardless, it seems failed ex-Jets coaches can do no wrong in the eyes of NFL decision-makers around the league, as Wilks has found his way back into the pros despite being less than a year removed from coaching one of New York's worst defenses in recent memory.

Ex-New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks hired by Washington Commanders

On Wednesday afternoon, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that the Washington Commanders were bringing Wilks in on an advisory role for the defense. He'll help with game planning and pre-game prep, but won't be with the team on game days.

Ian Rapoport added that this has been "planned all season," but was made official this week.

Wilks is the latest in a long line of ex-Jets coaches to receive a second chance in the NFL this season. It started with Robert Saleh getting his second head-coaching gig with the Tennessee Titans, and continued with ex-offensive coordinators Mike LaFleur, Nathaniel Hackett, and Adam Gase earning second chances despite past failures in New York.

It's clear that around the league, people don't care if things didn't work out in New York. They chalk it up to the Jets being the Jets, and assume it's not the fault of the former coach or player.

Well, how is that working out around the league? Saleh is 1-5 in Tennessee, LaFleur and the Arizona Cardinals are 2-4, and Gase is helping coordinate one of the worst offense in football with the Los Angeles Chargers, and may end up falling backwards into an offensive coordinator job.

We'll see how much the Commanders' defense actually improves with Wilks helping behind the scenes.

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