New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has performed a significant U-turn on his post-game assessment, retracting his criticism of the team's effort following a humiliating 42-10 defeat to the New England Patriots. After reviewing the game footage, Glenn now asserts that effort was not the primary issue in the lopsided loss.
From Effort Critique to Scheme Scrutiny
On Monday, Glenn offered a revised perspective, starkly different from his initial comments on Sunday. He stated that after examining the game again, he believed his players fought "all the way to the very end." The coach shifted the focus to schematic challenges presented by the Patriots, both offensively and defensively, which he admitted his staff needed to address.
"What really showed up is they did some things schematically, I thought, that was challenging... that we really have to take a look at and try to hone in on and fix," Glenn explained. He also credited the Patriots' players for simply making plays. This recalibration appears to be a damage-control move, as directly criticizing player effort can risk fracturing team unity. By highlighting scheme and play-calling, Glenn indirectly accepted a portion of the blame for himself and his coaching staff.
Establishing a 'Brand' Amidst a Lost Season
Despite the dismal 3-13 record, Glenn insists he and his staff are working to establish a specific "brand" of football for the Jets. This brand emphasizes controlling the line of scrimmage, a physical running game, and an unyielding presence on the field. Glenn pointed to their 48-20 loss at Jacksonville earlier in December as an example where this identity was visible, even in defeat.
"That’s the brand that we want to play with and sometimes you have to show your guys things so it can be remembered this is how we play," Glenn said. He acknowledged that outsiders might not understand this focus during a losing season, but stressed that his players are aware of the standard. The challenge, he admitted, is executing it consistently.
Center Josh Myers echoed the coach's call for commitment. "It goes back to AG just kind of talking about how we need buy-in and stay-in," Myers said. "So I’m going to stay in." This philosophy will likely influence the team's future roster decisions, as those who "stay-in" are expected to form the foundation for the coming seasons.
Few Positives in a Season of Negatives
The game did offer one bright spot: running back Breece Hall rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries, including a 59-yard touchdown. This performance made him the first Jets player to reach 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Chris Ivory in 2015. However, even this achievement was tempered as Hall left the game late with a knee injury, though he later stated he was okay.
Conversely, quarterback Brady Cook, an undrafted rookie, continued to struggle. In his three NFL starts, he has managed only one touchdown pass against seven interceptions, averaging a mere 5.2 yards per attempt. The Jets' defense also set an unwanted record, extending their streak to 16 consecutive games without an interception, the longest current drought in the NFL.
The team's injury list grew longer, with cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers (knee), running back Isaiah Davis (concussion), and guard John Simpson (knee) all getting hurt on Sunday. Historically, the loss cemented the Jets' place among the NFL's worst, as they became the fifth team ever to lose four consecutive games in a season by 23 or more points.
The Jets now have one final chance to salvage some pride in their season finale on the road against the Buffalo Bills, wrapping up a campaign that was effectively over months ago.
