Aaron Glenn's first season as head coach of the New York Jets was a harsh introduction to the NFL.
The team started 0-7 and finished 3-14, last in the AFC East.
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Despite the poor record, there are reasons for optimism heading into the upcoming season.
The Jets are not yet ready to challenge the Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots for the division title, but improvement is expected.
Building Through the Draft
New York made three first-round selections in April's draft. Defensive end David Bailey will bolster the pass rush.
Tight end Kenyon Sadiq and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. join veteran Garrett Wilson to give quarterback Geno Smith more weapons.
The Jets also have three more first-round picks in the 2027 draft, a class expected to be rich in quarterback talent.
This positions the team to potentially land a franchise signal-caller.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Glenn does not need to achieve a specific win total or reach the playoffs to secure his job for 2027.
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Instead, he must demonstrate that the team is trending upward and that he can develop young players.
“What I think Glenn needs to do, ahead of what should be a franchise-shifting draft next year, is show that the arrow is pointing up on his program after all that attrition,” Breer wrote.
He added that showing progress from young players like Armand Membou, Mason Taylor, Bailey, Sadiq, and Cooper Jr., alongside established talents such as Wilson, Fashanu, and McDonald, is key.
“Maybe that’s in a seven-win season. Maybe it’s in a 5–12 season that ends in a four-game winning streak.
Either way, I think ownership wants to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Breer said.
The Jets are in a rebuilding phase following the failed Aaron Rodgers experiment.
Glenn struggled in his first year as a head coach, but he deserves patience as a first-time leader.
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In Year 2, the team needs to show promise and a clear direction.
