The Jets’ defense has been a top-five unit the last three seasons.
But a new regime is in place with coach Aaron Glenn and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. And they know what type of unit they desire to be.
“Physicality, number one,” Wilks said. “Playing smart, not beating ourselves.
“Our talent level and the things that we can accomplish out there [are] phenomenal, but we can’t beat ourselves. So, being smart and the physicality that we play with. I think you saw that in the first game as we stepped on the field right there with Green Bay. … Everything that we do starts up front with just dominating, controlling the line of scrimmage.”
Unlike the offensive side of the ball, which features several key changes, the Jets’ defense returns eight starters to a unit that finished third in yards allowed last year (313.8). The Jets have finished in the top five defensively every year since 2022.
However, those numbers were a mirage last season after Robert Saleh was fired following a 2-3 start. During the final 12 weeks of the 2024 season, the Jets were 28th in points (26.6) and 18th in yards allowed per game (337.9). That was a drastic change from when the Jets were fifth in points (17) and second in yards per game (255.8) before Saleh’s firing.
The core of Gang Green’s defense remains intact with Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. Gardner signed a four-year, $120.4 million contract extension before training camp. The Jets also signed Sherwood to a three-year, $45 million contract last March.
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson is also returning from an Achilles tear he suffered in Week 2 of last year.
“The next level for this defense is to be consistently feared every single week,” Quincy Williams said. “That’s it, consistency.
“We had those games where we had those chances to close them out. We just have to do that. So, just really being consistent.”
The Jets also have some new additions to their defense, which they hope will take them to the next level. They signed cornerback Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $36 million contract to play opposite Gardner.
They also signed safety Andre Cisco and acquired defensive tackle Harrison Phillips in a trade with the Vikings.
Cisco signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets. They hope he can fill a significant need at safety next to Tony Adams. During his four seasons with the Jaguars, the Queens native who played collegiately at Syracuse appeared in 63 games (47 starts) and had eight interceptions (including one pick-six), 24 pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
“The interest in coming back home, being part of something great with Aaron Glenn at the helm,” Cisco said in May. “And obviously his history of defense and then Coach Wilks as well, and being at this defense has been great for the past few years.
“It was a no-brainer.”
After a month of training camp and three preseason games, it was evident the Jets needed to address the defensive tackle position opposite Williams. They didn’t draft a defensive tackle in the spring, and Derrick Nnadi, whom the Jets signed in March, was a non-factor during practices. The Jets traded Nnadi to the Chiefs this week, a team he spent seven seasons with.
Phillips started 51 games for the Vikings during the previous three seasons. Whether it was with the Bills to start his career, or the Vikings, he has been an effective run stuffer during his seven NFL seasons.
Gang Green’s defensive weakness in recent years is stopping the run. They ranked 17th in that department last season, a year after finishing 25th in the same category.
“Young players that have a lot of flash, players that I hope some of the veteran leadership can help out,” Phillips said about joining the Jets. “I think one of the qualities that I can bring to a defensive line room is the intellectual side of the game, and oftentimes I’m able to anticipate a play before it happens or repeat formations.
“They’ve got all the talent in the world. It’s fun to be the guys be a part of guys that are going to be demanding a double team and pulling the slides on the guys and all that stuff.”
The Jets’ defensive scheme will likely be a merger of Glenn’s and Wilks’ style. Glenn tended to favor man-to-man coverage when he was the defensive coordinator of the Lions. Wilks has traditionally been a zone coverage coach.
Both coaches like to blitz, which is something the Jets typically didn’t do under the previous regime.
“We are going to do a lot of stuff,” Gardner said about the defense. “It’s really a lot. I always thank them every single day because it’s like they put me in a position to make plays, not just me.
“Find ways to make plays and try to do Herculean things to make plays. I’m grateful for that and, you know, I’m ready to showcase that.”
