Can Aaron Glenn Lead the Jets to the Playoffs?

The start of the 2025 NFL regular season is getting close, and there is plenty of anticipation for New York Jets fans. This will be the first year with general manager Darren Mougey, head coach Aaron Glenn, and Justin Fields taking over at quarterback. It has been a long stretch without a winning season, not since 2015, but there is cautious optimism that things might finally turn around. The big question is, can Aaron Glenn lead the Jets to the Playoffs?

While sports betting sites are not giving the Jets much of a shot at the Super Bowl, they are being picked to improve on last year’s 5 and 12 record. Some analysts even think a playoff push is possible, something Jets fans have not seen since 2010.

Last year’s team had its share of dysfunction, with Aaron Rodgers, Robert Saleh, and Joe Douglas all playing major roles in a rocky season. All three are gone now, and the Jets are moving in a new direction. Glenn brings a defensive-minded approach, and if Fields can bounce back to his early-career form, this team might be able to shake up the AFC East.

Aaron Glenn – Fixing Defensive Breakdowns

On paper, the Jets had one of the top defenses in the league in 2024, giving up just 5,334 total yards, the third-best mark behind Tennessee and Philadelphia. But those numbers do not tell the full story. The defense gave up just 17 points per game over the first five weeks, then allowed 26.6 points per game the rest of the way. That swing led to a 66-point differential overall, with the team scoring 19.9 per game and allowing 23.8.

If Glenn can figure out what went wrong in the second half of the season, this defense has the pieces to be one of the league’s better units.

Balancing the Offense

The Jets offense still struggled last year; only seven teams scored fewer points. Part of the issue was predictability. They threw the ball 607 times, fifth-most in the league, but ran it just 363 times, the fewest of any team. Once opponents figured that out, it became easier to game plan against them.

Breece Hall led the way on the ground with 876 yards and five touchdowns, while Braelon Allen chipped in with 92 carries. Now with Fields at quarterback, the offense adds a mobile threat under center. Fields has averaged 50 rushing yards per game in his career, including a breakout 2022 season with 1,143 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Letting Fields Take Control

If Fields can get back to his college form, the Jets could have something special. He went 20,2 at Ohio State with over 5,300 passing yards and 63 touchdowns. Things did not go as planned in Chicago, where he was sacked 135 times over 40 games. The Bears traded him to Pittsburgh for a conditional sixth-round pick, and while his efficiency improved in 2024, the Steelers declined his fifth-year option.

That opened the door for the Jets to step in with a two-year, 40 million dollar deal. Mougey quickly named Fields the starter, hoping his dual-threat skills could spark the offense. There is some risk involved, but Jets fans know all about risk at quarterback. This one might pay off. The question is, will Aaron Glenn, who is a defensive coach by nature, break the trend and set a tone on offense that puts trust in his players?

Realistic Optimism in 2025

Let’s not pretend this team is being built to win the Super Bowl in 2025, but there is a much more stable foundation than in recent years. The Rodgers, Saleh, and Douglas drama is in the past. Glenn and Fields offer a fresh start, and with a solid defense and a more dynamic offense, there is hope for meaningful games in December.

The offensive line looks younger and more athletic, and it got a boost with the addition of Armand Membou in the draft. Injuries are always a concern, especially with depth, but if the core stays healthy, there is no reason the Jets cannot post a 10 and 7 record and grab a playoff spot. That journey starts Week 1 against the Steelers, and yes, that means a shot at beating Aaron Rodgers. Wouldn’t that be something?

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