There will be plenty of big-name defensive coordinators looking for jobs this offseason. Hey, just poll the New York Jets fanbase for the names buzzing around. <\/p>\n
There\u2019s just one problem in thinking big at the Jets\u2019 defensive coordinator post: It won\u2019t automatically fix the team\u2019s defensive woes.<\/p>\n
Gang Green\u2019s defense has taken a massive step back in 2025. With the arrival of Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks, the defense has been among the worst in the league in yards and points allowed, as well as the number of rushing and passing touchdowns given up. <\/p>\n
Things have been so bad for the Jets\u2019 defense that they relieved Wilks<\/a> (a veteran play-caller) of duties before the regular season concluded.<\/p>\n Wilks\u2019 firing is a reminder that veteran coaches won\u2019t fix what is really wrong with the Jets. It\u2019s a two-pronged problem that only the perfect coach for the role will be able to resolve.<\/p>\n The Jets\u2019 most concerning defensive issue<\/p>\n New York\u2019s most significant defense issue is hubris; no other problem comes close.<\/p>\n All three levels of the Jets\u2019 defense haven\u2019t been good enough because the players aren\u2019t good enough in 2025. Young standouts like linebacker Jamien Sherwood and edge rusher Will McDonald have not improved as much as the coaching staff had initially envisioned.<\/p>\n While player accountability is essential, player development is the crux of a coaching staff\u2019s job in the NFL. Glenn and Wilks walked into the facility, preaching that players would need to fit in their scheme and that they would be put in the best position to succeed.<\/p>\n As a result, players were often out of position all season, overwhelmed by the schematic challenges, and had few answers for adjustments. This wasn\u2019t a player problem; it was coaching malpractice. <\/p>\n Believing that instantaneously changes if a proven veteran walks in the door is akin to thinking spinach immediately makes a human stronger.<\/p>\n Why is the solo-side CB in hard\/press here on third-and-13? It’s not smart because it puts your team at the mercy of the officials. THIS is the stuff that’s been on tape all year, as it feels like the staff’s VISION for what they want the team to be usurps the tried-and-tested\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/gkdfsxjOqw<\/a><\/p>\n