The New York Jets appear to have added a new motto: zero tolerance for turnovers. Among the list of disappointments from 2024, the alarming rate of turnovers became too concerning to ignore. So naturally, after one of the best defensive minds, Aaron Glenn, landed in the Big Apple, his first concern was the turnover problem (of course, after sorting the quarterback havoc). Yet when a returner fumbled the ball against the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers, Glenn knew right away that this can’t happen. “Exciting game. But I’m not into moral victories,” were his stern words, asserting that he isn’t going to tolerate anything that ruins a chance for victory. Cutting Xavier Gipson was proof of that. 

For much of the night, it was a slugfest between the two sides. Then the fourth quarter unraveled. The Jets’ 26-24 lead disappeared after Gipson’s fumble set Rodgers up to strike, hitting Calvin Austin III for an 18-yard score that flipped the game. Pittsburgh seized momentum, and Chris Boswell’s 60-yard dagger made it 34-32. Just like that, one turnover turned into the difference between a statement win and another frustrating loss.

A few days after Sunday’s disappointing loss, Ari Meirov reported that the Jets are expected to release wideout Gipson as per the sources of NY Beat Reporter Brian Costello. Reason? “He had a costly fumble on Sunday vs. the Steelers.” It turned out to be true in every sense. A source close to ESPN revealed that the team is, in fact, cutting the returner for his costly fumble. As soon as the bold move made headlines, Glenn’s words from Sunday’s post-game press conference went viral. “Glenn stuck to his word,” reported Meirov.

Acknowledging the fight that the offense put up on Sunday, the new HC said, “I thought offensively we did a lot of good things that we can build on. The one thing to me that turned this game. We can’t have turnovers. We can’t do it.” He didn’t name Gipson explicitly. But his disappointment in the WR was quite evident. It wasn’t just a message for him; it was a warning to the entire locker room. “You will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games.”

Such stern words are often heard from head coaches, especially the new ones, but hardly any comply. With his decision to release Gipson for his first turnover of the season, Glenn proved the Jets chose him for all the right reasons. The Jets have yet to announce the news officially. But the bigger question now is: Who will replace Gipson? The special team’s player got the chance to start after the Jets’ primary punt returner, Kene Nwangwu, sustained a hamstring injury early in the game. 

The status of his injury also remains unclear. So from the available options, Glenn could take his chances with rookie Arian Smith (but that’s doubtful) or Isaiah Davis. The Jets also have Jamaal Pritchett and the newly signed Keilan Robinson on the practice team squad, who can replace Gipson. All these questions would likely be cleared in Glenn’s scheduled press conference for later Wednesday morning. 

Aaron Glenn sounds alarm on Jets’ penalty problem

The turnover wasn’t the only thing that disappointed the former defensive coordinator. ‘Penalties’ were another big concern that Glenn highlighted in his Sunday post-game press conference. “There were some penalties that happened in that game… That’s something that will be addressed,” he told the reporters. Fortunately, he knows how it happened. “[Those] were true discipline issues… We have to be a more disciplined team,” he added.

The Green Gang has been struggling with the penalty issue for some time now. Last year, they recorded the league’s worst 8.1 penalties and 66.7 penalty yards per game. In their opening game, they again struggled with the issue by having seven penalties for 74 yards. Two of the major penalties came in the second half. Linebacker Quincy Williams committed an unnecessary roughness penalty that extended the opposing team’s drive, which might have otherwise stalled. A few plays after that, Rodgers connected with Jaylen Warren for a 5-yard touchdown pass, bringing the team’s lead to 26-24. 

Then, in the fourth quarter, CB Brandon Stephens was called for defensive pass interference on a deep throw. This resulted in the Steelers gaining 19 extra yards, moving them to their own 48-yard line, and setting the stage for Boswell’s field goal, which turned out to be the game-winner. “We will get that addressed, and we got to continue to work,” assured Glenn. Though Week 1 wasn’t up to the standards, it proved one thing: the Jets are in the right hands.