This is another story in our series looking at the Jets’ current roster ahead of the March 11 start of the unrestricted free agent signing period. In this installment, the defense. HC Aaron Glenn has revamped the unit’s coaching staff, naming Brian Duker the team’s new defensive coordinator, along with Karl Dunbar the defensive line coach, Cameron Davis the assistant defensive line coach, safeties coach Ryan Slowik, defensive assistant/nickels coach Ronald Booker and defensive assistant Collin Bauer.
Defensive Line
Among several of GM Darren Mougey’s savvy, non-drafted acquisitions few stand out more than the addition of DT Jowon Briggs. The seventh-round selection of the Browns in the 2024 NFL Draft, Briggs (6-1, 313) appeared in only 6 games his rookie season. He was traded to the Jets in late August in a deal that included a swap of late-round draft picks. His role expanded after Quinnen Williams was traded to Dallas and Briggs earned 8 starts, finished with 4 sacks and 10 QB hits.
DL Trivia
Two pass rushers, one outside and one inside, thrived in ’25 and thick in the mix in ’26. Will McDonald IV, coming off the edge most often, notched team-leading totals of 8 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 19 QB hits and 8 penalties caused, including 6 holds and an intentional grounding. McDonald at Tampa Bay also used his rare athleticism to become the sixth Jet to return a blocked FG for a touchdown and the first to do it off his own block, speeding 50 yards to the house. Mr. Inside was 313-pound Jowon Briggs , who muscled his way to second-place finishes on the Green & White with 4 sacks and 10 QB hits.