JACKSONVILLE — One of the vital stunning points of the Jets season is how a lot of a dumpster fireplace their protection has been.
Getting into the 2025 season below new coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Jets protection was alleged to be arguably the strongest space on the workforce after ending within the high 5 the earlier three seasons.
Not solely has the Jets protection regressed, but it surely has additionally fully deteriorated as the season is coming to an in depth. In Sunday’s 48-20 loss to the Jaguars, they couldn’t contact Trevor Lawrence with a 10-foot pole. Gang Inexperienced completed with zero sacks and solely two quarterback hits throughout the complete sport.
Lawrence additionally completed 20-of-32 with 330 yards and 6 whole touchdowns [five passing and a rushing score]. He additionally registered the perfect passer ranking of his profession (136.7).
“You simply don’t quit that many factors and lose by that,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn mentioned. “I’m not going to BS any of you guys and no one else. We have now to ensure that we are able to repair that.
“I’m evaluating something. I’m evaluating the schematics, I’m evaluating the X’s and the O’s, I’m evaluating the gamers and you already know the character of this workforce. We simply should get higher. We will’t lose video games like that. It’s unacceptable.”
After successful three of 5 video games to finish November, it appeared the Jets had been on the upswing. However that has not been the case the previous two weeks.
The Jets’ protection has reverted to the unit it was originally of the season, when gamers left receivers vast open on passing downs. They missed a number of tackles towards the Jaguars, together with Lawrence’s 15-yard landing run within the first quarter after Will McDonald missed a possible sack. Travis Etienne Jr. additionally scored a landing within the third quarter after Brandon Stephens whiffed on a sort out and Quincy Williams couldn’t catch him earlier than the working again reached the top zone.
It additionally didn’t assist issues that undrafted rookie free agent Brady Prepare dinner began the primary sport of his NFL profession on Sunday. Prepare dinner didn’t play nicely after throwing for 163 yards with a landing and three interceptions, but it surely’s onerous to win when your protection offers up over 40 factors towards any workforce.
In simply their previous two video games, losses to the Dolphins and Jaguars, the Jets protection has allowed a mixed 82 factors. They’ve additionally given up a complete of 796 yards. Getting into Sunday’s sport, the Jets are twenty first in yards (337.4) and thirtieth in factors allowed (28.4).
“I don’t know,” Jets security Tony Adams mentioned when requested why the workforce has gotten off to sluggish begins the earlier two weeks. “We gotta return and watch the movie and proper what’s occurring.
“No excuses. I’ve been right here occurring my fourth yr. What the offense doesn’t matter, you already know what I imply. We gotta be higher defensively to offer Brady an opportunity.”
Wilks has been below fireplace all season lengthy due to how horrific the Jets’ protection has been. However when requested whether or not he would contemplate taking on the defensive play-calling duties, Glenn remained dedicated to Wilks.
“I introduced Wilks in for a motive,” Glenn mentioned. “I would like him to run his system. We have now three video games left for our guys to go on the market and play. Proper now, it isn’t in regards to the X’s and O’s, it’s in regards to the character of the boys on this workforce. That’s what I’m evaluating.
“I assumed a few of our guys actually gave it up on that discipline right this moment. We actually pushed it and actually continued taking part in it doesn’t matter what the scenario was. I need to be sure that I take a look at the tape and see if everyone did that and consider the coaches like I all the time do.”
Glenn may as nicely play the string out with Wilks with three video games remaining. However one thing has to vary as a result of the Jets aren’t exhibiting sufficient defensive progress, particularly since gamers really feel they’re ready all through the week main as much as video games.
Feeling the stress is one thing Wilks is used to. After one season as coach in 2018, the Cardinals fired Wilks following a 3-13 report. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan additionally fired Wilks after their Tremendous Bowl loss to the Chiefs in 2023, following a defensive dip in manufacturing.
After Sunday’s sport, many gamers had only a few solutions on what went improper towards the Jaguars and even declined to talk to the media. Go rusher Jermaine Johnson advised reporters, “Nah, not right this moment,” when he was approached to speak. Williams, who was charged with 4 missed tackles based on Subsequent Gen Stats, additionally didn’t take questions from the media however mentioned, “I’ve nothing optimistic to say, so I’m not doing any media.”
Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood is aware of what he desires to see from the protection throughout their final three video games (at Saints, vs. Patriots, at Payments).
“The earlier two weeks weren’t as much as par,” Sherwood mentioned. “Clearly, not the usual that we set for ourselves and never the usual that we now have going ahead. So I wanna see the fellows struggle, end, have delight about taking part in for the New York Jets.”
