New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks mid-season.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said he might not be done making changes to the coaching staff, writing, “more changes loom.”
“Don’t be surprised if he makes more moves after the season, especially on defense. Line coach Eric Washington, a Wilks guy, is one name to watch,” Cimini revealed.
This week, Coach Glenn shared some interesting insight when asked about the job New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has done. He pointed to his coaching staff and the control he had in putting it together.
“Your staff is the most important part of being a head coach, and it’s always a work in progress,” Glenn said via Cimini. “Just like players — players come and players go — coaches come and coaches go.”
Washington’s Time Could Be Running Out
2025 is Washington’s first season with the Jets. He has been coaching football since 1997. That time has been split between college and the NFL.
However, Washington has exclusively been at the NFL level since 2008. He has been a defensive line coach for 17 years. There have also been two stints as a defensive coordinator: Carolina Panthers (2018-19) and the Chicago Bears (2024).
“While in Chicago, Washington guided a Bears defense that produced an 8% sack rate per pass attempt, the 11th highest mark in the NFL. Additionally, Washington’s unit held opposing offenses to a 46% efficiency rate in the redzone, the second lowest mark in the League, and to just a 67.6% success rate on goal-to-go downs, the ninth-lowest mark in the League,” the Jets wrote in Washington’s coach bio.
While he may have had outstanding success in Chicago, that simply hasn’t translated this season with the Jets.
One of the core issues of this Jets defense falling apart has been the uninspired play of their defensive line. That is supposed to be Washington’s specialty.
The other thing that hurts him is that he is a Wilks guy. Coach Glenn fired him already. Washington hasn’t done a good job, and his allegiance is with a man who is no longer employed by the green and white.
Glenn Needs to Make Some Changes to the Offensive Staff Too
The only staff that shouldn’t be touched is the special teams unit. Chris Banjo has done a masterful job in year No. 1. My mama always said if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The same can’t be said on the offensive side of the ball. It’s less about this year and more about the future.
The Jets are very likely going to add a rookie passer in some form or fashion over the offseason. Heck it could even come in the first round.
A big question from outside the building: Do the Jets have the right infrastructure to support a young quarterback?
The answer to that question is a big ole shrug emoji. It didn’t look great this year, but you could argue the talent wasn’t there.
Coach Glenn can’t get that wrong. He will be defined by his next QB choice, especially if it comes high in the draft. He needs to do everything in his power to put that player in the best position to succeed.
That might require adding a new member to the staff from the outside who has experience working with young quarterbacks and a successful track record.
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