The defense has been a big issue for the New York Jets this season. After a 0-5 start, the Jets’ defense continues to struggle, and head coach Aaron Glenn has once again faced harsh scrutiny as the team searches for its first win of the season.

As per writer Mike Sando of The Athletic, an anonymous NFL executive from a different team pointed out how both the Jets and the Las Vegas Raiders can’t stop opponents or run the ball effectively. “What I think is so interesting is the two guys,” the executive said. “That want to run the defensive programs and get the veteran quarterbacks to run the ball and play defense can’t run the ball and can’t play defense.” Aaron Glenn, a former defensive back and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2024, oversaw a consistently high-performing unit. But through five weeks, that success has yet to carry over to his new team.

The Jets were supposed to have the best defense with a defensive mastermind, Glenn. But the Jets are under defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. And the Jets’ defense has struggled every week. While the offense shows hope with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, the team needs to do better on both sides to change things.

Aaron Glenn’s tenure in New York has gotten off to a rough start, as he became the first coach in Jets history to open his stint with a 0-5 record.

The Jets are struggling mightily, posting a -45 point differential and failing to make anything look easy. Most notably, they have yet to force a single turnover in five games, a first in NFL history since takeaways have been tracked in 1933. New York sits dead last in the league with a -8 turnover margin, underscoring just how dire their defensive struggles have become.

While the Jets’ defense sits near the league average in yards allowed, they’re giving up a staggering 31.4 points per game. On Sunday, the Cowboys piled up 416 total yards, including 180 on the ground, averaging 6.2 yards per carry against a Jets defense that was expected to be more formidable.

The Raiders, under the defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, have also struggled this season, despite replacing nearly most of their starting players. The team was handed a 40-6 loss by the Indianapolis Colts and quarterback Daniel Jones.

Fortunately, for the Jets, they might have a chance to turn their fate around. The team might see a major boost with the return of defensive end Jermaine Johnson this week against the Denver Broncos in London.

The former first-round pick is arguably the Jets’ top defensive weapon. In 35 career games, he’s tallied 95 tackles and 10 sacks. An ankle injury sidelined him in Week 2 after he joined training camp on the physically unable to perform list following a 2024 Achilles tear. If healthy, he could be the key playmaker the Jets need to turn their season around.

Many have taken a shot at the Jets for their disappointing loss.

David Saleh took a dig at Aaron Glenn’s Jets

Things aren’t exactly looking up for Glenn in his first season as head coach. And the former Jets’ head coach Robert Saleh’s brother, David Saleh, didn’t hold back. He seemingly threw some shade at the team and owner Woody Johnson.

Robert Saleh finished his four-year tenure as the Jets’ head coach with a 20-36 record. He struggled out of the gate, going 4-13 in 2021, followed by consecutive 7-10 seasons in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, Saleh managed a 2-3 start before being dismissed from his role.

“Last year, the Jets were 2-3 playing for first place in their division,” Saleh started. “When (Johnson) declared that ‘the best roster in franchise history needed a spark. Since then, the Jets defense has gone from first to worst, donning a record of 3-14.” He even threw in some hashtags like #allgasnobrake and #VictoryMonday and more.

When the Jets fired Saleh’s brother, the owner had assured that the roster was stacked and ready to dominate. “This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” the owner said on Oct. 8 of last year.

At the time, he promised that a new direction would spark wins. “I wanted to give this team the most opportunity to win this season,” he said. “I feel that we had to go in a different direction, and that’s why I did that today. The change that we made today, that I made, I believe, will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins starting now.”

During Saleh’s time as head coach, the Jets struggled badly on offense, averaging just 17.3 points per game, which is the lowest in the NFL over his 56 games. However, his defensive units were consistently strong, ranking among the league’s best in yards allowed and sitting at No. 2 overall when he was dismissed.

While many hoped for a change after his firing, the Jets are clearly still stuck in the mud.