Ahead of their game against the Cowboys, Aaron Glenn said the Jets had a “really, really good” week of practice.
If Sunday was any indication, the Jets’ practice habits are not translating to the field on gameday.
Not only did the Jets (0-5) lose their fifth consecutive game to begin the 2025 season, but they were also embarrassed in the process. They were outplayed, outcoached, and outexecuted by a Cowboys team that had struggled to stop anybody before their 37-22 loss.
With the loss, Glenn became the first Jets coach to begin his tenure losing his first five games. However, Glenn remains confident that players are buying into his and his staff’s message.
“I am, I really am,” Glenn said. “The reason why is because when you guys [media] talk to them, they say the same things that we say in our team meeting.
“It’s going to take time, fellas. I talked to two guys this week, Tony Dungy, Jimmy Johnson, they all had these issues early on. Only thing we can do is go back to work. We go to London this week. We travel tomorrow, have an off day on Tuesday and Wednesday, we’re working, and we’re doing everything we can to fix all of these issues.”
Glenn has been accountable for all the issues the Jets have had through their first five games. Whether it is penalties, players being out of position, a lack of consistent offense, or turnovers, he has stood on the podium and said that he and the team have to find a way to improve.
However, at this point, it seems like a broken record every week, as the Jets continue to shoot themselves in the foot with mistakes and penalties. For example, the Jets were down 10-3 in the second quarter, and they were in Cowboys territory, driving down the field for a potential touchdown. However, running back Breece Hall fumbled after a 10-yard gain to the Cowboys’ 13-yard line, and Dallas defensive end Sam Williams recovered the ball.
That was the Jets’ only turnover of the game, but it proved to be a backbreaker. Dallas immediately scored on a seven-play drive that was capped off by a Javonte Williams four-yard touchdown run and Gang Green never recovered after falling down 17-3.
“No one expected this,” Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. “I’m not going to say this is what new coaches go through, but I still have that faith that we are going to be better off for it.
“I feel like we are all building something in our locker room leading up to Sundays every week and we are not coming out winning the games on Sundays, which isn’t okay. But the foundation is there and we are going to keep building upon this thing. It is just about executing when you need it most. This is what this thing comes down to, it’s about us. Being at our best when it’s required. That’s gotta be the mindset.”
The Cowboys also added another touchdown before halftime to go up 24-3 after Williams’ 66-yard run and Jake Ferguson scored on a one-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott. Dallas’ final drive before halftime lasted just 14 seconds after scoring in two plays.
Mistakes like this have been the main reason the Jets find themselves 0-5 heading into Week 6. Against the Dolphins, the Jets lost three fumbles, but lost by six points last Monday night. In games against the Buccaneers and Steelers, late-game mistakes also prevented them from securing a win.
The lack of turnovers also hasn’t helped after the Jets became the first team in NFL history to start 0-5 and haven’t registered a takeaway through five games, according to ESPN Research.
“It’s hard to process,” Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner said. “It keeps me up at night trying to process some stuff.
“I try to think of the good through all of this because it is hard for me to sleep, trying to see why we are not winning. Every time something going good for us, something bad gotta [happen].
“We take one step and then we take two steps back. It really has been tough trying to pinpoint what it really is. That’s why I can’t process it at all.”
No team has ever made the playoffs starting the season 0-5 and it is unlikely the Jets will be the first to accomplish that feat. But this season was never about making the playoffs. It was about Glenn and his staff laying the foundation to sustain success for years and years to come.
The problem is, the Jets desperately need a victory, any victory at this point, to give the fan base any hope for the future. MetLife Stadium was already packed full of Cowboy fans because they are a national brand.
During the game, there were “Let’s Go Cowboys” chants from the crowd. Then, after the Jets fell down 24-3, many fans headed for the exits on a beautiful, 80-degree day in New Jersey. The fans who remained booed the Jets players as they headed to the locker room.
Glenn has often referenced his time with the Lions as their defensive coordinator and how the team began Dan Campbell’s tenure 3-13-1. Detroit also started Campbell’s second season 1-6 before the team finished 9-8 in 2022. They eventually made the playoffs and won the NFC North division crown back-to-back seasons before Glenn left to take the Jets job.
Gang Green fans are impatient since the team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010. There are already several Jets fans wanting to see changes to the coaching staff or for Jets owner Woody Johnson to fire Glenn, although.
But Jets left tackle John Simpson remains confident that they will turn things around under Glenn.
“We got 12 games to play,” Simpson said. “We can be 1-0 next week, that’s the way I’m going to look at it. I feel like all that in the past is behind us and we just gotta look forward.
“We gotta take this thing one game at a time and keep it pushing because. Everything outside this building don’t really matter at the end of the day. It is all about the guys that’s in this room. I think we are going to be fine.
“We going to focus on being 1-0 today and all that matter. I think the future is bright for this organization and I’m happy to be a part of this organization because I know deep down, we are going to turn this s–t around.”
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