New York Jets interim defensive coordinator Chris Harris had his work cut out for him on the road in New Orleans.

The former defensive backs coach was thrust into a role following the removal of Steve Wilks, and needed to get a unit playing at a competitive level after blowout losses against Miami and Jacksonville.

While the blowout was inevitable, Harris’ new defensive looks did show improvement for most of a 29-6 loss in Louisiana. Now, as the team prepares for an AFC East clash against the New England Patriots, Harris has to take stock of his performance last week, while keeping an eye on Week 17.

Jets assess new play-caller’s debut

At first glance, giving up over 300 yards to Tyler Shough, over 400 total yards, and close to 50 percent of third downs isn’t the sign of defensive improvements. But in the case of Harris, and what the Jets went through over the last two weeks prior, there was some sense of quality play last week.

A rise in effort and simplicity in process were the two things the first-time play-caller touted when speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning.

“I think the operation went well,” Harris said. “I had great support from our coaching staff, from AG (Aaron Glenn). So, the process went well.”

It wasn’t all bad, either, for Harris. His defense recorded a turnover on the game’s opening possession, and he is playing several young players across the board, especially in the secondary.

The hope is that the team will improve incrementally in the final two games, against the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots.

“Being a former player, I know you only get a certain amount of opportunities to play this game, and so you don’t want to take any of them for granted,” Harris said. “We’re excited to get to work this week and put a plan together to do all we can to stop them.”

Harris has his work cut out for him trying to get the Jets defense to play good football against two of the best teams in the league to end the 2025 campaign, particularly while enduring an impossible-to-correct problem. If he’s able to accomplish that feat, his interim tag could quickly become a full-time promotion.

If not, Chris Harris’ role may go back to focusing solely on the New York Jets’ secondary—a group that needs plenty of help along the way.