A pessimist's guide to the 2025 New York Jets

Fields went 4-2 with five touchdowns in six starts for the Steelers last season but was benched for Russell Wilson ahead of a Week 7 game with New York. Despite an obvious need at the position, New York chose not to take a quarterback in April’s draft. If Fields struggles, the team would turn to 35-year-old Tyrod Taylor, who saw limited action in two games with the Jets last season.

HC | Aaron Glenn

Glenn starts the season as the 22nd head coach in franchise history after spending the last four seasons as defensive coordinator of the Lions. He also spent eight years as a cornerback with the Jets from 1994-2001.

Familiarity doesn’t hurt, but fans would be forgiven for not wanting another first-time head coach from the defensive side of the ball. Robert Saleh, the former and current defensive coordinator of the 49ers, fit the bill in 2021 but was fired five games into the 2024 season.

Glenn’s Lions allowed the seventh-fewest points (20.1) last season but lost to a Commanders team led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in the divisional round of last year’s playoffs.

Granted, Detroit was without Pro Bowl edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, but he won’t be playing for the Jets either. Glenn will need another big year from defensive end Will McDonald and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to maintain the Jets’ third-ranked defense next season.

Schedule | Week 1 through Week 6

Glenn’s learning curve will be short based on New York’s early-season schedule. After opening the regular season against the Steelers and former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the Jets stay home in Week 2 to face the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Josh Allen. The reigning NFL MVP is 9-4 against the Jets for his career with eight wins in their last 10 meetings.

After that, it’s off to Tampa to face the NFC South champion Buccaneers, a team they haven’t beaten since 2013. Then they’re back to Florida for a Monday night matchup against the Dolphins, a team they’re 4-2 against since Mike McDaniel took over as Miami's coach.

Follow that with a pair of home games against the Cowboys and Broncos, and the Jets could get off to another rough start in 2025.