Here’s a question: what do cornerbacks do? Answer: They cover, blitz, and defend. But what do cornerbacks do when they become head coaches? Aaron Glenn, for one, has all the right answers as the new Jets HC. He’s the new sheriff in town, and that shining HC badge comes with a lot of responsibilities. But Glenn has owned it, and his team has responded to it, too. So when you ask a former cornerback how his team’s doing this season, what do you get? You get a crisp, clear tackle of an answer. And in the process, you get an underlying swipe at your former QB, too.

There’s no love lost between Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Glenn. The only thing these two could see eye to eye on was probably their first names. During the draft, Glenn was asked about his comments on the revelations A-Rod had made against the Jets. Glenn didn’t flinch. He didn’t even pause for a second. The dude just smirked and talked about his Jets rookies. Even now, at a recent presser, Glenn talked about his thoughts on Justin Fields. While doing that, he took some subtle swipes at A-Rod that didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.

At the presser, one person noted Justin Fields “seems like a pretty quiet, chill guy.” The question was, “What kind of a leader is he?” Aaron Glenn’s answer? “Well, that is his personality. And exactly what I just said is what he’s trying to do. And just to be a positive influence on all his teammates. – he’s trying to just have relationships with all the players on the team. – that has a lot to do with leadership there. Just being able to communicate – he’s doing a really good job of that. Yes, he is a quiet voice, but that quiet voice doesn’t mean that people don’t hear him.” That’s high praise from the head coach. Justin Fields is clearly shaping up to be the kind of leader the Jets need in this new season. And Glenn’s next comments are where it gets really interesting.

Glenn went on to add, “he’s himself and he’s authentic. He’s not going to change for nobody. And I’d rather have that than somebody that’s fake.” Now wait, was that a dig at A-Rod? When Rodgers flew all the way over on his own dime to check on his future with the Jets, they basically told him ‘we’re going another way for QB.’ At the time, Glenn had said he didn’t want his authority over the players to be challenged by Rodgers. Glenn further doubled down, “He’s not trying to be the celebrity quarterback. He’s just trying to be himself. And whatever comes with that, it comes with it. So he’s not trying to impress anybody. He’s going through and he’s busting his a– trying to be the best quarterback he can be for his team.” While Glenn’s “not trying to be the celebrity quarterback,” doesn’t go unnoticed, it also speaks volumes about Justin Fields.

In the presser, Glenn had also noted, “We’re going to be selective in everything that we do. I don’t want this to be an outfit where everybody fits & that’s just what it is. Every guy has to have some type of characteristic that fits what we do & what we are about.” So maybe Aaron Rodgers didn’t fit with the vision Glenn has for the Jets? Even when he’s not in the scene with the Steelers, Aaron Rodgers is still gathering headlines like bees to a rose garden. Justin Fields, on the other hand, is carving a quiet but powerful legacy for himself. He’s letting his actions speak as he leads his team through the trenches. And Aaron Glenn cannot help but admire the guy’s grit.

Aaron Glenn’s fighter jet – Justin Fields

While Aaron Glenn was talking about the natural leader that is Justin Fields, he was also asked about the minicamps. Especially, what the takeaway was from phase one and phase two. And Glenn, once again, only had nice things to say about his QB1. “There’s a quiet confidence about that man that’s unshakable. And even though he’s not the most vocal person, he’s active with his body language. He’s active with his one-on-one conversations. If he has to stand in front of the guys and say something, he will. He’s not one of those guys that’s going to talk just to talk, because sometimes if you do that, you know, players around you can get deadhead. But he says things when it needs to be said.” Well, that’s that about Justin Field’s leadership. But what about him as an athlete? Coach Glenn has that covered too.

Talking about Fields’ training with the Jets, HC Glenn went all in again. But not just for Fields, for the entire QB room. Glenn said, “He’s a really good athlete. He works his butt off in the weight room. –  doing everything he can to improve. And whatever advantage he can get from coaching, strength and conditioning, being on the field, he’s going to take that advantage and he’s going to run with it. So I’m very happy where he’s at.”

Talking about Brady Cook and Adrian Martinez, Glenn also added, “I’m very happy with actually all the quarterbacks that we have in this program right now. And I know they’re going to push each other to be better.” Looks like Aaron Glenn has complete faith in the team for the new season. And there’s already an exciting opening match lined up for them to prove what they can do.

Now the Steelers vs. the Jets is the first matchup of the season. If Aaron Rodgers joins the Steelers, which a lot of analysts believe is going to happen soon, imagine the game. Justin Fields vs. Aaron Rodgers. Fields going up against his former team, and Rodgers going up against the team that turned him down. Vengeful motives whichever way you look. It’s nothing less than an epic showdown in the making. The new season can’t start soon enough.