4 days ago
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Make no bones about it, it was a season to forget for the Jets.
Following yet another dreadful loss to close out the season to the Buffalo Bills, New York ended its first season under a new regime with a 3-14 record, tied for the worst record in the NFL, and will once again have a top 10 draft pick this spring with the No. 2 overall pick.
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For his part, first-year head coach Aaron Glenn shouldered all of the blame for his team's disastrous performance, especially down the stretch which saw the Jets lose by 23 or more points in their final four games.
"I let the players down," he said. "I let the organization down and that burns me. It really does."
With the season over, the focus now shifts to Glenn's job security despite being selected just last offseason to lead the team and signing a five-year contract that goes through the 2029 season.
For now, at least, it appears the former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator will return next year, but to inspire any faith to the organization and the fans that he's the answer to lift the Jets out of their misery Glenn will need to make some major changes. If not, it could spell yet another ugly departure for a New York head coach.
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"I understand what everybody on the outside is saying and I'm going to take all those arrows and that's okay," Glenn said. "I do know this: it's going to turn and I'm very confident in that. I look forward to getting better, I look forward to starting this offseason."
That offseason will start right away as Glenn said he plans to have a week-long self-reflection period "to identify each and every one of those things" that he can improve on, starting with himself.
"The only thing that I can think about is moving on to next year," he said.
As for Glenn's players who have stuck by his side all season during the trials and tribulations, they came to his defense after hearing about his postgame self-assessment and assuming all of the blame for the team's hardships.
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"That's not on him," said center Joe Tippmann. "That's on us as players."
"For [Glenn] to say it's on him, I don't fully agree," said defensive end Jermaine Johnson. "I think everybody's hands are dirty. I know the character of the men out there, they're definitely going to remember this feeling and not let it happen again."
Linebacker Quincy Williams took it a step further and gave his praise of Glenn, making an emphatic statement in the process.
"He’ll be back, I promise you that," Williams said. "He’ll be back. I don’t see no reason why he wouldn’t be back. The mindset, his philosophy of what he’s teaching us, the mindset he wants to create around here. He’s gonna be back."
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Although the results didn't show on the field, Glenn can not be faulted for a lack of care or desire to want to win. From his inauguration and through the regular season, it was clear he badly wants to change the culture surrounding Gang Green.
But even with the support of his players, his leash is shortening and he needs to prove once again why he is the answer.
"I know the reason why I came here and I am not gonna waiver from my belief and what I think wins games in this league," Glenn said. "... We’re gonna work our ass off to get this s--- exactly where it needs to be. And I do know that."
English (US) ·