Aggressive Aaron? NY Jets coach addresses 4th down philosophy

Over the course of NFL history, former defensive coordinators turned head coaches have been known best for passive decisions in key moments of a ballgame. Due to their penchant for protecting their defense, they often take an approach that pushes for “safe” decisions over aggressiveness.

The New York Jets have seen that exact reality over the last few years. Over the last two decades, Gang Green has hired just one offensive mind to be their head coach. Most of their defensive leadership chose to be passive with their crunch-time decision-making.

Until now.

Head coach Aaron Glenn, a former Pro Bowl cornerback and defensive coordinator, has shrugged off those “passive” in-game concerns as he heads into his first game as Gang Green’s head coach.

He’s ready to prove those past expectations wrong.

Jets fourth-down philosophy

It’s easy for head coaches to make the wrong decisions in key moments. A poorly placed timeout, a poor challenge flag, or bad management in the two-minute drill can alter the course of a game.

That is the exact reason why Glenn is more prepared than ever for those situations.

Unlike many defensive coaches hired for the head job, Glenn is coming from a coaching staff with a penchant for aggressiveness. As the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions under Dan Campbell, he saw that being aggressive in key situations can help the team win.

“Early in my thought process, I was to a point to where, ‘Man, let’s punt and go play defense.’ But now, when you just look at it, and you look at the analytics behind it, it tells you that there’s a really good chance you can make that,” Glenn said. “So, mentally, I am somewhat aggressive, but I’m also calculated. So, it depends on who we’re going against, it depends on the situation in the game.

“But I know this, I’m going to be ready to make decisions. I’m going to make it fast, and whatever that decision is going to be, it’s going to be best for our team.”

New York’s push towards analytics in the front office teases how the organization will look to operate in 2025.

For fans, that may mean the team goes for it on fourth down more often. They may get aggressive with their challenges. They should be more buttoned up in key situations, like in two-minute drills.

We’ll see what that truly looks like for the Jets on Sunday, but it’s clear Glenn will want to be as aggressive as his former head coach was in Detroit.

And it’s a great thing for New York.