When Aaron Glenn grew to become Jets head coach a 12 months in the past, he mentioned he was “here to win now.”
After a nightmarish 3-14 first season, Glenn and the Jets will enter this offseason with a number of questions.
Amongst them is Glenn, if he’s proper man to not solely finish the Jets’ now 15-year postseason drought? Additionally, can he flip the staff into contenders?
On Monday, as gamers cleaned out their lockers and headed house for the offseason, many nonetheless expressed confidence in Glenn and the tradition he’s trying to construct with the Jets.
“I don’t know if y’all saw it at the beginning of the year, but those games were close and we were in them,” Jets left guard John Simpson mentioned. “End, I really feel like we have been lacking this previous 12 months.
“I believe in the coaches here full heartedly. It would be an honor to be a part of something like this next year.”
Simpson, 28, is scheduled to hit free company in March. That claims rather a lot when a six-year veteran like him desires to return after what may solely be outlined as a catastrophic season by a number of measures.
The Jets didn’t simply lose 14 video games this season — they have been non-competitive in lots of them. 9 of their losses got here by 10 factors or extra. The Jets have been down by at the very least 10 factors in over 53% of their offensive snaps, a determine unmatched by every other staff throughout the twenty first century, in line with NFL Analysis.
As well as, the Jets grew to become the primary staff in NFL historical past to lose 5 consecutive video games by 23 factors or extra. With a makeshift lineup led by undrafted rookie quarterback Brady Cook dinner throughout their closing 5 video games of the season, the Jets have been outscored 188-54.
Gang Inexperienced additionally went the entire season with out recording a single interception, which is a primary in league historical past.
“We are all responsible,” Jets security Andre Cisco mentioned. “Lack of words on that, to be honest with you. It is hard to fathom that we had no interceptions. But I know guys were thinking about it. I know guys are conscious of it throughout the season.”
The Jets haven’t publicly commented on Glenn’s standing as head coach. Nonetheless, the expectation is that he’ll return for a second season with the Jets after signing a five-year contract.
There weren’t many positives to remove from Glenn’s first season as coach. Justin Fields, whom the Jets signed to a two-year, $40 million contract, was benched after 9 begins. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was additionally fired after 14 video games.
Gang Inexperienced’s three victories towards the Bengals, Browns and Falcons all got here towards backup quarterbacks.
Glenn has mentioned that Jets proprietor Woody Johnson is absolutely backing him regardless of having one of many worst information in franchise historical past. Nonetheless, many followers on social media have expressed their anger and need a teaching change.
“I understand the emotion that they have with the organization,” Jets defensive sort out Harrison Phillips mentioned. “You may’t fault 2022, 2020, you possibly can’t fault that on any of the brand new people who find themselves on this group.
“As difficult as it might be because they are scarred from past traumas, I know how, when you talk about trauma, PTSD, that’s actually real with how much our fans support us. For 15 years, I can get your frustrations, but for us new people to this organization, it’s our first year, and you gotta give us some grace. If we have the same conversation next year, you can ask me this question and I’ll be able to have a more direct answer to fans. But right now, it’s Year 1 and there’s so much s–t that we have to have figure out.”
One constructive for the Jets coming into the offseason is their abundance of cap house and draft capital. They’re estimated to have over $90 million in wage cap room to assist fill a roster that will want upwards of 12 new starters on either side of the ball.
The Jets may also have eight draft picks, together with the No. 2 total decide in April’s draft. Additionally they have a further first-round decide (sixteenth total) after buying and selling cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Colts on the commerce deadline. The Jets even have two second-round picks, with one among them coming in advantage of dealing defensive sort out Quinnen Williams to the Cowboys.
“I believe in AG and everything that he’s preached,” Jets middle Josh Myers mentioned. “I’ve been round sufficient good leaders to know that he’s an ideal one.
“I trust that we’re gonna come back and have a great season next year. I think it gives another year for his culture to get instilled, which I really do think is going to be the deciding factor in turning this place around. I believe in the culture he’s driving, and I really do think it leads directly to winning. We’ve got guys coming back, guys getting healthy, and then a lot of draft picks.”
