Can the Jets Defense Return to the Formidable Unit They Once Were?
In the sea of issues for the New York Jets, their defense has been the shining star. While the offense typically soars in some games and completely falls flat in others, their defense is typically stable and reliable. Last season, however, the unit completely crumbled under pressure and was no longer the under-the-radar defense it once was. Between Sauce Gardner’s third-year struggles, D.J. Reed having one foot out of the door, and an overall inconsistent and weak approach, the days of the formidable defense were only a memory. Overall, the defense surrendered a fourth-quarter lead in five of the team’s 10 losses and had one of the weakest pass rushes in the league.
In 2023, the Jets had the NFL’s highest-ranked defense, according to Pro Football Focus, with a grade of 90.8. They also had the top-ranked coverage unit and had the second-lowest first-down conversion rate, giving them up only 24.9% of the time. However, when you look at players individually, this season wasn’t as successful as the 2022 season. Only three players on the Jets roster have posted more than five sacks in either of the past two seasons: Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald, and Jermaine Johnson.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, there’s optimism for the unit to at least return to being competitive. While it looked at times as though there was no hope for the defense to find its footing again last season, a new coaching staff and new minds in Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks can give a much-needed boost and reset. The return of Johnson also sparks curiosity about what the unit can achieve, especially since the team lost him so early in the season last year. Glenn and Wilks are both very blitz-heavy coaches, so players like Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood should get the chance to level up their games. In very few opportunities in the 2024 season, Sherwood collected 12 pressures on 53 snaps, and Quincy Williams collected 48 pressures on 237 snaps. While only time will tell if the duo can post impressive numbers in a new coaching scheme, there is definitely untapped potential and the potential for the Jets to return to what they once were.
