Jets Announce Unfortunate News With 3 Games Remaining

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 11:30 AM ET

The New York Jets were overwhelmed on Sunday during a 48-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags scored on eight of their first nine possessions, and quarterback Trevor Lawrence produced one of his most efficient games of the season (330 yards and five touchdowns passing and 51 yards and a score on the ground).

The Jets surrendered 438 yards and 24 first downs while recording no takeaways against a Jaguars attack that repeatedly converted third downs and sustained long drives.

That loss capped another difficult week in what has become a disappointing season (3-11). New York sits near the bottom of the league in defensive output.

Across the season, the Jets have been consistently beaten in yards per play and have ranked poorly in points allowed.

What Is the Decision Going Forward?

On Monday, head coach Aaron Glenn announced that defensive coordinator Steve Wilks had been relieved of his duties.

Glenn made the announcement at his news conference a day after the Jacksonville defeat and said the organization would move forward with defensive backs coach and pass-game coordinator Chris Harris, a former safety in the NFL, taking over as the interim defensive coordinator and handling play-calling for the final three games of the season.

#Jets coach Aaron Glenn has fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Glenn made the announcement at his news conference, a day after another frustrating performance. pic.twitter.com/j6N4qYuZ4S
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2025

What Went Wrong?

The move follows mounting criticism of the Jets’ defensive performance under Wilks. New York has been among the league’s worst units in key categories this year. The Jets ranked 20th in total defense (337.4 yards per game), 29th in rushing defense (137.4) and 30th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game). A lack of turnovers (three takeaways and a -17 turnover differential), an inability to get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks and repeated failures to stop short- and medium-distance drives.

New York Jets interim defensive coordinator Chris Harris.© Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Wilks, a veteran coach and a hire by the Jets in February, was brought in with the expectation he would clean up schematic problems and improve situational defense.

The club will assess whether a permanent replacement should be pursued in the offseason.

The Jets visit the Saints at 1 p.m. ET Sunday on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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