Aaron Glenn didn’t come to New York to sugarcoat. In his first training camp as Jets head coach, he is already drawing hard lines in the grass. ”You cannot win games in this league with an undisciplined team,” Glenn said back in July. A blunt admonition to a roster that accumulated far too many drive-killing penalties throughout 2024. To fix it, he’s gone back to basics, having referees on the practice field flag each infraction, no matter how small. As he attempts to shed bad habits by Week 1.

The catalyst for that philosophy became clear after a preseason game that pushed the Jets to their limits. The only thing that wasn’t the Jets brand of football was the penalties. On paper, it was stark: 10 penalties for 91 yards. For a team attempting to retool its identity in a first-year head coach, those self-wounding hits aren’t merely costing yards. They break rhythm, derail drives, and progressively drain a team’s confidence. Glenn’s letter wasn’t quite fire and brimstone.

He did see the positive situational factors, like players taking advantage of live reps. Execution in certain areas was still solid. And overall “inventory” of plays was ahead of pace. But he made it clear that discipline isn’t a side note. It’s the front-line fix if this team wants to compete in the AFC East.

Glenn‘s dedication to eradicating penalties isn’t simply a reactionary sound bite. It‘s an underlying philosophy he‘s been constructing since his arrival. During training camp, the Jets‘ practice facilities have been akin to small-scale game days, with officials hurling flags at every misstep. The reasoning is to turn discipline into muscle memory. “We were the most penalized team in the league last year, so that‘s one of the things I want to nip in the bud early,” Glenn said last week. “Making sure that the discipline part of what we do—we fix that now.” His staff has bought into it, ringing the bell about accountability on every snap. The message is unequivocal: play smart, or don‘t play.

Players have taken note. Running back Breece Hall was also quick to state the first attribute Glenn most values in a player. Hall explained:  “He wants a football player that‘s smart, that‘s going to give 110 percent every play and someone he can count on. I think those are the biggest three things.” For rookies and veterans alike, that translates to no taking the shortcut. Glenn’s high standards are reinforced daily, and the presence of referees at practice has become a constant reminder that even in August, details matter.

It’s an approach rooted in Glenn’s belief that great teams aren’t just talented, they’re consistent. He reminds players that perfection is the goal, not a vague aspiration. “We’re striving for perfection of every detail when it comes to offense and defense,” Glenn said. The competitive tone of camp has ramped up with pads on, and as physicality increases, Glenn’s message remains steady: discipline wins games.

Glenn praises Fields’ game management and decision-making

That hope extended to quarterback Justin Fields, who sits squarely at the center of the Jets’ offensive aspirations. “He did what we needed him to do… he was patient… we can call a play & take a shot. But if the shot ain’t there, he did a great job checking it down,” Glenn said. It was the kind of poise he wants evident up and down the roster. Controlled, calculated, and prone to making the smart play instead of the hard one.

That patience is something Fields has been cultivating since coming to New York. With his mobility and big-play ability. He‘s frequently been most lethal off script. But Glenn‘s accolades centered on Fields‘ capacity to execute the offense as planned. Make the appropriate reads, and live to battle another down. The preseason phase provided a preview of a quarterback combining athleticism with savvy decision-making. A package Glenn thinks will allow the Jets to stay in close games late into the season.

Fields‘ style also perfectly aligns with the culture Glenn is establishing. He expects disciplined route-running and penalty-free football from his skillset players. He expects his quarterback to dictate the pace of the game, defend possessions, and not take undue risks. With this performance, Fields didn‘t merely display his legs; he showed control. Faith in his reads, and the capacity to play within structure. For Glenn, that‘s worth more than any deep touchdown pass.

There remains a great deal of work to be completed in order to rid themselves of penalties. But the foundations are laid for a competitive 2025 campaign. With Glenn‘s steadfast focus on discipline, and Fields giving indications of maturity in the game. The Jets have a clearer direction. Execution will have to keep pace with ambition. And each yard gained or taken away will count.