Jets Protection on the Brink of Historic Information

Replace: The Jets fired Steve Wilks on Monday morning.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — When New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was employed final offseason, he advised reporters the protection can be a “collaboration of each of our schemes” — referring to himself and coach Aaron Glenn.

Let’s fast-forward to Sunday at EverBank Stadium, the place the Jets performed their worst defensive video games in years. They watched helplessly as Trevor Lawrence delivered the most effective quarterback performances in historical past — 5 passing touchdowns and one dashing landing within the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ 48-20 victory.

Naturally, the ugly defensive efficiency — and the general regression by the unit the previous two weeks — prompted a postgame query about Wilks. Glenn was requested if he is planning to take over playcalling; his reply spoke volumes.

“I do know that query goes to be requested,” mentioned Glenn, exhibiting higher anticipation than his defensive backs. “Pay attention, I introduced Wilks in for a cause, and, hear, I need him to run his system. We’ve got three video games left. Three video games left for our guys to go on the market and play.”

His system.

With these two phrases, Glenn separated himself from his defensive coordinator, who painted a unique image of the association a number of months in the past. Glenn in all probability wasn’t attempting to throw Wilks below the bus; this was his method of letting everybody know that he is a head coach who believes in empowering his coordinators.

He was saying he lets Wilks run his personal present — a present doubtlessly in peril of being shut down.

Glenn made positive so as to add, “it is not concerning the X’s and O’s throughout the board, it is concerning the character of the boys on this crew,” however what does that imply for Wilks at season’s finish?

The Jets (3-11) have been dreadful towards the Jaguars on protection, giving up scores on eight of the primary 9 collection. For the second straight week, they have been overmatched on the outset, falling right into a 14-0 gap.

The temper within the postgame locker room was completely different than earlier blowouts. There was no bravado, solely dejection. A few of their crew leaders declined to remark, notably Jermaine Johnson and Quincy Williams.

“I’ve nothing constructive to say,” mentioned Williams, who’s usually open to talking after video games.

It was a tough day for Williams. He was the closest defender on 4 of Lawrence’s landing passes, in keeping with NextGen Stats.

Security Tony Adams was shocked when a reporter talked about that Lawrence had thrown 5 touchdowns.

“What number of?” Adams mentioned, sounding shocked it was that many.

Certainly, Lawrence turned solely the fifth participant within the Tremendous Bowl period (since 1966) with 5 landing passes and one dashing landing in a sport.

The Jets provided no resistance — no sacks and solely two quarterback hits. Wilks blitzed on 10 of Lawrence’s 32 go makes an attempt, however that did not do something. Lawrence was 7-for-10 for 150 yards and two touchdowns towards the blitz, per ESPN Analysis.

Wilks is a blitz-heavy coach, however his schemes do not appear to catch anybody unexpectedly.

“It was actually onerous to clarify that,” Glenn mentioned of the nonexistent go rush. “And that is a part of the rationale I am considerably pissed. We’ve got to get higher at that.”

Clearly, the personnel must be upgraded within the offseason. With further draft capital and greater than $70 million in cap house, the Jets have sources to overtake the protection. There might be as many as six new starters in 2026.

“Monday by way of Saturday, that is the place our coaches are available in,” Jamien Sherwood mentioned. “On Sunday, it is all concerning the gamers. Your skills acquired to point out up. All of the work you set in through the week, you need to present up. And the final two weeks we simply have not been doing it.”

The Jets have given up a mixed 82 factors up to now two video games, their worst back-to-back since 2021. They nonetheless have not recorded an interception — a 14-game drought that ties the league’s all-time futility report. They’re on tempo to surrender 482 factors, which might be the second most in franchise historical past.

Glenn is a defense-minded coach who landed his job due to his work because the Detroit Lions’ defensive coordinator, so this is also a poor reflection on him even when he is not calling the performs. That is Wilks’ job, as Glenn made clear after the sport.

Clearly, it is not working.

“There’s numerous blame that goes round once you [give] up that many factors as a crew,” Glenn mentioned. “It isn’t good. It isn’t good. [Give] up 48 factors? Not good.”