Aaron Glenn 'The Practices Are Damn Good' A Masterclass in Mental 0-5 Gymnastics

Another Sunday, another soul-crushing loss for the New York Jets. This time, a 37-22 drubbing by the Dallas Cowboys, which cemented a rather unflattering record for their new head coach. Aaron Glenn is now the first head coach in the Jets’ long, often painful, history to start his tenure 0-5. Welcome to the club, coach. The jackets are… well, they’re probably lost in the mail.

Glenn’s Comments In Post Game Press Conference

Following the game, Glenn stood before the media and took the blame, which is what coaches are paid to do. He spoke of disappointment and the need for his team to be “mentally tougher.” It’s a classic coaching trope, right up there with “we need to execute better” and “it starts with me.” The turning point, according to Glenn, was a Breece Hall fumble in the red zone during the second quarter when the game was still within reach at 10-3. After that, the Jets went into halftime trailing 23-3. The wind, as Glenn put it, was let out of them. Whatever happened to fixing the fumbling issues?

“I got to figure out a way to get our guys going when things like that happen,” Glenn lamented. “In this game, the mentally tough are the ones that survive so I got to do a better job of getting all the guys mentally tough when situations happen like that.”

It’s a noble sentiment. But forgive the long-suffering Jets faithful if they roll their eyes so hard they can see their own brains. Mental toughness? This franchise has been a case study in mental fragility for decades. Expecting a first-year head coach to suddenly instill an iron will in a team that has perfected the art of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory is, let’s say, optimistic.

Is Anybody Actually Listening to Aaron Glenn?

When asked if his message was penetrating the thick skulls under those green helmets, Glenn expressed confidence. “And listen, it’s going to take time, fellas,” he added. Time is a luxury Jets coaches rarely get. Just ask the ghosts of Adam Gase, Todd Bowles, and Rex Ryan. Also wasn’t Glenn claiming this was a “win now” team during his first press conference?

Let’s not forget the defense, Glenn’s supposed area of expertise. This unit, which entered the season with sky-high expectations, has yet to force a single turnover. Not one. They’ve set an NFL record for the most consecutive games to start a season (five) without a takeaway. It’s not just bad luck; it’s a systemic failure. Glenn says the defense has to take the ball away, that no one will just give it to them.

Can Practice Really Be “Damn Good”?

Perhaps the most head-scratching comment was Glenn’s assessment of their practice habits. “The practices have been damn good, they are,” he claimed. Really? If practices are “damn good” why do the game-day performance looks like a blooper reel.  If the practices are “damn good” then one of two things is true: either the practices aren’t actually that good, or the team is filled with the greatest practice players in league history. Which is it?

Final Thoughts

The schedule offers no relief. Next up, a trip to London to face a Denver Broncos team that just knocked off the previously undefeated Eagles. It’s a classic “get right” game… for the Broncos. The question is whether he has the answers. Right now, the Jets aren’t just in a hole; they’re digging toward the earth’s core, and all Aaron Glenn seems to have is a plastic shovel and a book of motivational quotes that potential screams one and done as a head coach. Good luck with that, but enjoy the “damn” good practices.