The Jets didn’t have their best run game against the Bills. They allowed 64 points through two weeks, and actually got worse from the first to the second game. But the worst part? It came when James Cook ran 44 yards for a score. Along with it, missed tackles and other glaring defensive issues hammered the Jets on the ground as the Bills led 30-10 victory at MetLife Stadium. And just when you think that they can’t have any more trouble than this, coach Aaron Glenn and the squad face another huge hurdle in front of them.

The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, in his report, called it the “Michael Clemons Conundrum.” After the last two games, the player has received much criticism from the fans as well as the coaches for his same old mistakes happening again. One such is during the Bills’ opening drive. The Jets had them stopped on 3rd-and-19. However, Clemons hit Josh Allen after he released an incomplete pass, and such hits on quarterbacks get flagged with the penalty extending the drive, which led to a touchdown.

“It can’t happen…. I think he had the one (penalty) in Green Bay … and then the one yesterday. It’s so hard for a defensive lineman to make sure they don’t go in and try to finish the tackle on the quarterback because of the rules. But that’s not an excuse at all,” Glenn admitted. He has often expressed the importance of avoiding penalties. Hence, the head coach further added, “I have to go back and make sure I emphasize again with him, ‘Man, you have to understand exactly where we have to tackle the quarterback,’ because he was going to try and make a play.” No doubt, the Jets had been struggling with penalties. And the report says it all:

NFL, American Football Herren, USA New York Jets Minicamp Jun 11, 2025 Florham Park, NY, USA New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn looks on during minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Florham Park Atlantic Health Jets Training Center NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJohnxJonesx 20250611_rtc_ja1_0126

Aaron Glenn tore into Clemons on the sideline, just like he did in the preseason, but minutes later, Clemons was back on the field, and by night’s end, he’d played more snaps than any Jets defensive end after Jermaine Johnson went down. That’s what drives fans crazy. No one takes more heat, yet he’s always out there. The frustration isn’t just about his attitude; it’s moments that stick. For instance, the late hit against Buffalo, letting Josh Allen slip by for a game-sealing run, the ugly ejection in Miami, fights with Dion Dawkins, and even flipping off Jets fans in Cleveland. The numbers only fuel the fire, showing the defense is flat-out better when he’s off the field, giving up fewer yards, fewer conversions, and generating more pressure.

According to TruMedia, via Rosenblatt, “From 2022-25 the Jets have a better sack rate (9.35 percent), pressure rate (39.6 percent) and are better on third down (36.8 percent) with Clemons off the field than when he’s on it — when the sack rate (6.6 percent), pressure rate (32.8 percent) and third down conversions (41.8 percent) all get worse. Through two games, the Jets allow 5.2 yards per rush when Clemons is on the field, and 3.2 yards per carry when he’s off it.” And that’s not only the stats that scream Clemons’ fault.

The reporter went on to describe Pro Football Focus’ rankings, which state, “Clemons ranks 76th of 79 defensive ends to play at least 50 snaps, and 64th in run defense. In 2024, he ranked 67th of 69 defensive ends to play 500 snaps, and 64th against the run. But in 2023, when he only played 368 snaps, he graded out as an average player: 60th of 109 to play 300 snaps, and 43rd against the run.” Hence, the truth is Clemons looks serviceable in smaller roles, but when he plays too much, his flaws get exposed. Still, with the roster thin, the Jets keep leaning on him, and that’s why he’s become such a lightning rod.

So, while the coach is strict about the consequences of such mistakes, unfortunately, the Jets lack a reliable option for defensive end. The lineup has two players, Braiden McGregor (undrafted in 2024) and Round 5 rookie Tyler Baron, behind Clemons. McGregor is mostly just a pass rusher, and Baron, who hardly showed up in the preseason, didn’t even suit up in Week 2. Free agency isn’t offering much help either, with veterans like Za’Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney already off the market.

So, the tension is lying in the locker room, as the new defense, under coordinator Steve Wilks, has already given up 30-plus points in back-to-back games. And, this is something they didn’t even do during last year’s rough season, or since Robert Saleh’s first year in 2021, when the unit was the worst in the league. The team gave up 224 rushing yards to the Bills, and it’s more than in any single game from 2022 to 2025. And that’s not the end of the Jets’ struggles.

Aaron Glenn’s Jets are called out for a change?

Cook’s heroic moment showed the issues within the Jets’ roster. Another concern that came to light at that moment was Brandon Stephens’ apparent lack of effort in supporting the Jets. When Cook ran to help the Bills reach 20-0, Stephen was seen moving slowly at the 20-yard line instead of trying his hardest to stop the player. Hence, netizens quickly took notice of the issue, with some even demanding that he be benched.

Stephens made some mistakes even back in Week 1 against Aaron Rodgers, as he allowed five catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns. Many fans are frustrated that, despite signing a three-year, $36 million deal earlier this year, the cornerback has yet to show the effort or performance expected from him.

And as for the run defense, the coach believes the team can fix it. “Over pursuit for the most part & just playing leverage football because the effort was absolutely there. Our guys were running their a– off trying to get to the ball. But man, when you have two or three guys running outside the ball, and this is a cutback league, man, we can’t allow it to happen,” the coach noted. Hence, both Stephens and Clemons need to up their game, as they are going to face the Bucs in Week 3.