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If there's one thing Aaron Glenn will take pride in as the New York Jets' head coach, it's defense.
Not only was Glenn a defensive coordinator before taking his first head coaching job, but he once played cornerback for the Jets himself. And this is a defense with talent at every level, so Glenn will want to show he can maximize his players' talents.
From Sauce Gardner to brothers Quinnen and Quincy Williams, there are plenty of stars for New York to depend on. And the Jets allowed the third-fewest yards per game in the NFL last season, so there's a good foundation to build upon even though the team went 5-12.
However, one NFL writer doesn't have an optimistic view of Glenn's first season.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport ranked all 32 NFL defenses coming into the season, and put the Jets 22nd, thanks in large part to the loss of star cornerback D.J. Reed, who signed with Glenn's old team, the Detroit Lions.
"The Jets put as much effort into retaining their own players as they did others, resigning the likes of linebacker Jamien Sherwood. They also have homegrown stars like defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner," Davenport wrote.
"But swapping out D.J. Reed for Brandon Stephens at cornerback was a negative, and the team's young edge-rushers need to show they can turn the occasional hot streak into a consistently productive season."
Davenport is throwing down the gauntlet for Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, who have flashed brilliance in their young careers but need to develop some consistency.
There are lots of kinks for Glenn and the Jets to work out, but most would agree that the ceiling for this group is a lot higher than the 22nd-best defense in the league. But there's no motivation like doubt from outsiders.
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Cowboys make questionable move amid Micah Parsons stalemate
The Dallas Cowboys extended one of their stars Sunday, just not the one fans wanted them to pay. At Cowboys training camp Saturday, Dallas fans serenaded owner Jerry Jones with "Pay Micah [Parsons]" chants. The EDGE, of course, is set to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract this season. Jones must not have been listening. He gave tight end Jake Ferguson a new contract instead. Dallas and the 26-year-old pass-catcher agreed to a four-year, $52M contract extension, via NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. This move seems head-scratching. Parsons has won the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and earned two first-team All-Pro nods since the Cowboys took him with pick No. 12 in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old EDGE also finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Ferguson, meanwhile, is solid but not elite. In three seasons with the Cowboys, the 2022 fourth-round pick has made one Pro Bowl and has never finished with more than 761 receiving yards in a season. An extension for Parsons will devour future cap space. The Cowboys may be worried about that after giving quarterback Dak Prescott (four years, $240M) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (four years, $136M) long-term deals in 2024. Pittsburgh Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt signed a lucrative three-year, $123M extension on July 17, making him the league's highest-paid non-QB. Parsons could command a similar contract. If cap space is Dallas' primary concern, however, why would it extend Ferguson? He's now set to be the NFL's seventh-highest-paid TE. The Cowboys waited to extend Lamb and Prescott just before the start of the 2024 season. They may be doing the same with Parsons. The star defender has said, "Ownership is always gonna make [contract negotiations] drag out." Regardless, the Cowboys should've paid Parsons before Ferguson. That's a much bigger priority for the team.
Two Rivals Emerge as Trade Suitors for Penguins' Erik Karlsson: Report
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a team that opposing sides have been watching all offseason long. Pittsburgh has a few veteran players who could be on the move via trade, and it could see the front office be very active. With the Penguins in full rebuild mode, the team seems to be looking ahead to the future. One player that has been discussed in different deals is veteran defenseman Erik Karlsson. Karlsson still has two years remaining on his current contract, including this upcoming season. The veteran is owed $11.5 million in each year, so any team that would trade for him would need to take on his high salary. According to NHL insider Shayna Goldman, the options for the Penguins in any potential Karlsson trade have started to dwindle. But the Carolina Hurricanes and Ottawa Senators were mentioned as potential options to land the star defender. Last season with the Penguins, Karlsson scored 11 goals and 42 assists over 82 games. Karlsson showed impressive production for Pittsburgh, and he could be a valuable asset to any team that would trade for him. At this point in his career, Karlsson likely wants to play for a contending team. Both the Hurricanes and Senators could provide him with this, with both sides making the playoffs last season. Pittsburgh could likely net some strong future assets in any Karlsson deal, giving them more of a path forward. Trading for a player like Karlsson could be risky due to his age, but this could also be a move to help push a team over the hump in the quest to win a Stanley Cup title.
Important trade stalls as Maple Leafs dangle bottom-six forward
The Toronto Maple Leafs are still looking for a solution to their bottom-six surplus, and veteran forward Calle Jarnkrok remains at the center of trade discussions. However, according to The Fourth Period, trade talks surrounding the 33-year-old winger have failed to gain momentum. They write: “He has a $2.1M cap hit and owns a 10-team no-trade list. The market hasn’t been vibrant, to this point, but the Leafs will continue to dangle him.” Why can’t the Maple Leafs find a taker for Jarnkrok? Jarnkrok has quietly been on the trade block for much of the offseason, but general manager Brad Treliving has yet to find a taker. After adding several depth forwards this summer, the Leafs now face a crowded bottom six — and Jarnkrok’s age, injury history and $2.1M cap hit through 2025–26 aren’t helping his value. Since joining Toronto, Jarnkrok has appeared in only 71 games over two seasons, scoring a modest 28 points. While his defensive versatility and penalty-killing ability are assets, his declining offensive production and durability concerns have made teams wary. With training camp approaching, the Maple Leafs may be forced to keep Jarnkrok on the roster — or retain salary in a deal — if they want to create space and flexibility. Dropping his cap hit down to just over $1M would open up the market a little. Until then, the Swedish forward remains a trade candidate in limbo. This isn’t great news as moving Jarnkrok from the roster is an important item on the team’s to-do list. Treliving would like more cap space, and with Jarnkrok and David Kampf both still on the roster, it hampers the GM’s ability to do other things.
Commanders star returns to camp with a major catch
Terry McLaurin's absence from the start of Washington Commanders training camp raised eyebrows, especially with contract talks still unresolved. But on Sunday, the star receiver reported to the team — though not quite at full strength. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports McLaurin is battling an ankle issue and will begin camp on the active/PUP list. The team also announced a corresponding roster move and released CB Fentrell Cypress. Washington head coach Dan Quinn welcomed McLaurin’s presence and emphasized the team's ongoing support. “Terry McLaurin has reported, so we’re very happy about that,” Quinn said. “He’ll start on the PUP List with an ankle, so he’ll be working with trainers, and the front office is continuing to work on a new deal for the star receiver.” This move enables McLaurin to remain close to the team, work with trainers, and attend meetings, even as he recovers from the ankle issue that is expected to keep him off the field temporarily. McLaurin himself spoke to reporters about being back with his teammates and the Washington fanbase ,and made it clear where his heart is. “It is feeling good to be around my teammates and around the fans,” McLaurin said via WUSA9. “I can't beat that at all. They showed me a lot of love and support, and I always try to give that back. Not just on the field, but off the field." He also addressed the emotional tug-of-war that comes with contract negotiations and being away from the team. “Man, it's unbelievable. That's the part that gives you joy,” he said. “You kind of lose sight of some things sometimes when the business gets involved, but I never lost sight of the way they supported me and the way that I pour into them and the way they poured into me. So at the end of the day, it's business, but it has nothing to do with them." Washington now finds itself with breathing room. McLaurin’s presence relieves tension while giving the front office more time to negotiate without the cloud of an outright absence. The veteran wide receiver trained on his own during his brief holdout but is now back in Ashburn, building rapport with teammates and coaches — even if he's not yet taking reps. For now, all eyes remain on McLaurin’s recovery and contract talks — both of which will shape the Commanders outlook heading into the 2025 season.
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