Back with the Jets as a first-time head coach, Aaron Glenn understands the monumental task at hand.
New York ended an inglorious two-year partnership with quarterback Aaron Rodgers that netted 12 wins in two seasons and signed Justin Fields as the presumptive starter in the latest reboot of the offense.
Glenn, hailed for his development of defensive players during his time as coordinator of the Detroit Lions, inherited a team stocked with talent on that side of the ball.
Along with first-year GM Darren Mougey, Glenn sets out to chart a new course for the Jets with a few tired questions.
Solving the QB conundrum is nothing new to this franchise. Glenn asserts there’s no time to languish about the past and believes Fields, who gave the Lions fits during his time with the Bears, can help New York get back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season. Mark Sanchez started the AFC Championship game loss to the Steelers, and set off a parade of misfortune at the position. Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh McCown, Sam Darnold, Zach Wilson and Rodgers all tried their hand at the primary QB1 role over the ensuing dozen years and only Fitzpatrick (10-6 in 2015) delivered a record above .500.
Will this finally be the year the Jets clear the runway?
–Team needs
Offensive tackle: Morgan Moses helped stabilize the Jets’ offensive line, but he left for the Patriots in free agency. Arguably the best right tackle in the draft, Missouri’s Armand Membou, is expected to be available when New York is on the clock with the seventh overall pick. The Lions thrived behind a mauling offensive line for much of Glenn’s time in Detroit. Membou is a fine athlete, even if he comes a pace or two short of Penei Sewell.
Tight end: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is another option at No. 7. He could fill a pressing need and also qualify as the best talent available with only six prospects off the board. Left tackle Olu Fashanu, drafted 11th in 2024 by the Jets, is a former Warren teammate with the Nittany Lions.
Defensive line: Nobody can block defensive tackle Quinnen Williams one-on-one, which begs the question: How lethal could the Jets’ front four become with another unblockable star in the picture?
–Best prospect fits
DT Mason Graham, Michigan
OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia
TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
CB Will Johnson, Michigan
DE Mykel Williams, Georgia
OG Armand Membou, Missouri
ILB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
WR Matthew Golden, Texas
CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
–2025 draft picks by round
Total picks: 8
By round (pick in round, overall pick)
1: 7, 7
2: 10, 42
3: 9, 73
4: 8, 110
5: 7, 145
5: 24, 162 (from Los Angeles Rams via Pittsburgh Steelers)
6: 10, 186
6: 31, 207 (from Kansas City Chiefs)
–History Lesson
–The Jets drafted Glenn with the 12th overall pick in 1994.
–The Jets have never drafted a player No. 7 overall.
–Since drafting QB Mark Sanchez (USC) fifth in 2009, the Jets have selected a defensive player with their first pick 11 times.
