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Jets Coach Points to Clear Reason Behind Winless Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 2:15 AM ET

The New York Jets expected improvement when they hired Aaron Glenn in the offseason to be the franchise's new head coach. But change doesn't always manifest right away in the NFL. It can take time. For the Jets, it certainly will take more than three weeks, as they remain winless through that many games in the 2025 NFL regular season.

On Sunday, the Jets stumbled anew, falling prey to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 29-27 loss at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, despite a spirited comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.

The Jets were behind by 17 points to start the fourth quarter, but grabbed a one-point lead late in the period, thanks to a touchdown score by defensive end Will McDonald off a blocked field-goal attempt by Bucs kicker Chase McLaughlin. That lead did not last long, however, as the Buccaneers answered right back with a game-winning field goal by McLaughlin.

For the third straight game, the Jets' defense let Glenn and the team down, and it's an issue he must solve sooner rather than later if New York is to make the NFL playoffs.

“I mean, you can’t give up the number of points that we’ve given up and expect to be just gung-ho about it,” Glenn said on Monday during a video call with reporters, per Dennis Waszak Jr. of The Associated Press.

In the 2024 season, the Jets allowed 23.8 points per game and 313.8 total yards per outing. After three games in 2025, Glenn's Jets are giving up 31.0 points per contest and 340.3 total yards per week.

Tackling has been a glaring issue for New York’s leaky defense, serving as a major contributing factor. So far in 2025, the Jets have recorded just 116 tackles — with only nine teams posting fewer.

Perhaps the Jets can find success on defense in Week 4, when they go up against fellow winless AFC East rival, the Miami Dolphins, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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

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