Jets HC Aaron Glenn already getting a taste of the New York roller coaster

Everything is amplified when you're the head coach, or quarterback, of the New York Jets, and new HC Aaron Glenn has quickly figured that out.

It's probably not surprising. Glenn was the 12th overall pick of the Jets in the 1994 NFL Draft, and he played eight seasons in New York. That Big Apple pressure is nothing new, but he's seeing it for the first time through the eyes of a head coach, and the spotlight has been shining directly on his quarterback, Justin Fields, this preseason.

In the Jets' first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, Fields completed 3-of-4 passes and rushed for a touchdown. In his second preseason game against the New York Giants, he completed just 1-of-5 attempts for four yards.

It's been the tale of two quarterbacks so far this preseason, and fans of the Jets have been reacting as you'd expect to the roller coaster. 

On Tuesday, Glenn admitted that he finds the overreactions funny.

"I mean, you have so many people that want to talk about a small amount of plays these guys get to go out there and play," Glenn said, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "And then everything is falling down because we throw six passes [actually five, last Saturday].

"Then, I mean, he's [Fields] Johnny Unitas when we throw four passes [in the first game]. So, it bothers me, and I laugh at it quite a bit. But the thing is, I understand it because that's the noise that happens on the outside."

Outside noise happens in the NFL, but it's especially true with the Jets.

Glenn's challenge as a first-year head coach will be making sure that his players don't respond to that noise, and instead focus on controlling the things they can control.

In the preseason, that simply means staying healthy and getting good reps. Stats don't matter, and wins and losses certainly don't matter.

Fields hasn't thrown a pass longer than nine yards this preseason, but that doesn't mean he won't air it out during the regular season.

Even if New York's passing offense is a bit suspect with Fields leading the way, Glenn was clear that he wants to rely on the run anyhow. Fields and his ability to hurt defenses with his legs are a big part of that. The Jets also have a strong backfield with Breece Hall (1,870 yards and 10 touchdowns over the past two seasons) leading the way.

The NFL is ever evolving, and despite the wide receiver and quarterback position seemingly being as good as it's ever been, there has absolutely been a resurgence in run-heavy football over the past few seasons.

The Jets want to ride that wave in 2025. 

"Who says it's a passing league?" Glenn asked a reporter. "The team that won the Super Bowl [Philadelphia Eagles], what were they in passing? Twenty-ninth. What were they in running? First."