Following one of the most disappointing campaigns in franchise history, the New York Jets' leadership has struck a defiantly optimistic note, promising a swift return to competitiveness. General Manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn addressed the media in their season-ending press conference, just two days after the team concluded a dismal 3-14 record.
Confidence Amidst the Wreckage
When questioned about the timeline for a Jets revival, GM Darren Mougey did not mince words. "I believe we can be competitive and respectable right away, next year," he asserted on Tuesday. This bold claim comes after a season where the Jets lost their final five games by a combined score of 188-46, extending their playoff drought to a painful 15 consecutive years.
Mougey pointed to the team's assets as reasons for his confidence. "I’m excited about the offseason," he said, highlighting the draft capital, salary cap space, and the experience gained in his first year working with Glenn and the staff. Head coach Aaron Glenn, who just finished his first season after four as Detroit's defensive coordinator, shouldered the blame for the failures but echoed the sentiment of a brighter future. "I have total confidence... and I want the fans to have total confidence in that also," Glenn stated.
Addressing Key Roster Decisions
The offseason will be defined by several critical personnel choices. The quarterback position remains a major question mark. Justin Fields, who started only nine games before being benched and later placed on injured reserve, has a year left on his contract but his future is uncertain. Glenn was non-committal, saying only, "Justin is under contract." With the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, selecting a quarterback is a strong possibility, though Mougey confirmed they will also look at veteran options in free agency. "I can tell you this: We will exhaust every option," the GM vowed.
Another priority is star running back Breece Hall, who is scheduled to become a free agent after his first 1,000-yard rushing season. Mougey expressed a clear desire to retain him, having already met with Hall and about 50 other players. "Breece is a good player. I want as many good players back as we can," Mougey said, though he declined to comment on potentially using a franchise tag.
Coaching Staff Overhaul and Urgency for 2024
The Jets must also rectify coaching missteps from their first year. The decision to hire Steve Wilks as defensive coordinator backfired, and he was fired during the season. Chris Harris served as interim, but Glenn said they will evaluate "a number of coaches" for the permanent role, seeking "a lot of synergy" with the new hire.
Both Mougey and Glenn acknowledged the immense pressure to turn things around quickly for owner Woody Johnson and a long-suffering fanbase. "There’s always a sense of urgency," Glenn admitted. "Winning is a sense of urgency in itself... We all know Woody and we all know he wants to win, just like we do." The clear message from Florham Park is that a repeat of the 2024 disaster is unacceptable. "We don’t expect to have another season like this here," Glenn concluded.
