The New York Jets have made a significant change by firing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks following a disappointing blowout defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Wilks” tenure ended abruptly after just 14 games, leaving the team with one of its worst defensive seasons in history.
In a move announced on Monday, head coach Aaron Glenn appointed Chris Harris, the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, as the interim defensive coordinator. Harris will take over playcalling duties for the remaining three games of the season, with Glenn providing support in game-planning during the week.
“I just thought that from last week going to this week, the improvement wasn”t there, and I thought it was time to make a change,” Glenn stated during a Zoom call with reporters. He emphasized the importance of making decisions that benefit the organization and mentioned the need for consistent improvement and structure within the team.
This decision followed a demoralizing 48-20 loss to the Jaguars, where Jacksonville scored on eight of its first nine possessions. The Jets currently hold a record of 3-11 and have allowed a staggering 82 points over their last two games, marking the worst back-to-back performance since 2021.
Historically, the Jets have been known for their strong defense, ranking among the top four in yards allowed from 2022 to 2024. However, this season has seen a drastic decline, with the team sitting 30th in scoring defense, 20th in yards allowed, and 28th in expected points added (EPA). A particularly alarming statistic is the Jets” meager total of two takeaways and a streak of 14 games without an interception, tying them with the 2024 San Francisco 49ers for the longest such stretch in NFL history.
Just a week prior, Glenn expressed faith in Wilks and indicated no plans to remove him from playcalling duties. However, after reviewing the team”s performance, he opted to dismiss him late Sunday night, notifying Wilks the following morning. Glenn reiterated the need for the team”s character and culture to unite and for performance to improve consistently.
With the Jets allowing an average of 28.3 points per game, they are on track to finish the season with 482 points allowed, which would be their second-highest total ever. This season has been particularly disappointing for the Jets, marking their 15th consecutive year without a playoff appearance, the longest active drought in North American sports.
Despite the turmoil, Glenn”s position as head coach seems secure. Under Wilks, the Jets adopted a blitz-heavy approach, but the pass rush has failed to deliver. Glenn was visibly upset by the defensive performance on Sunday, where the team recorded no sacks and only two quarterback hits. Throughout the season, the defense has struggled with poor tackling and coverage breakdowns, leading to open receivers.
After the game, some defensive leaders, including linebacker Quincy Williams, chose not to address the media, with Williams stating, “I have nothing positive to say.” Glenn noted that the defensive unit was frustrated with how they had performed.
Wilks inherited nine returning starters from last year”s squad, but significant trades during the season altered the defensive landscape. While there were signs of improvement before the trade deadline, the team”s performance has since regressed. The Jets shifted into rebuilding mode as Wilks was tasked with integrating rookies and new players on short notice.
Wilks acknowledged last week that the defense had been “inconsistent at times” and accepted full responsibility for the struggles. The 56-year-old was one of Glenn”s first hires, and although their pairing seemed unusual given Wilks” absence from the NFL in 2024, Glenn valued his head coaching experience.
Harris, at 43, has not called plays at the NFL level before and is now stepping into a challenging situation. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips expressed trust in Glenn, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision to move on from Wilks. He noted, “It”s just part of this league. Obviously, it hasn”t been up to the standard that we seek or we”re aiming for, so it”s tough.”
The Jets will face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday, and while Glenn has not named his starting quarterback, he has praised rookie Brady Cook and is likely to continue with him under center.
