Unfortunately for the New York Jets, their 2025-26 season is beginning to sound like a broken record. In yet another game to kick off the Aaron Glenn era, a lack of execution in the basic fundamentals of the game held them back.
This time around, it happened on the Monday Night Football stage with the world watching. It happened against a divisional opponent, too. The end result was a 27-21 loss to the Miami Dolphins, although Mike McDaniel’s squad was in control for a good chunk of the contest.
Speaking to the media after the game, Glenn didn’t hold back with his immediate thoughts.
Aaron Glenn Admits He’s ‘Disappointed’ With Jets’ Performance in Week 4
The first-time head coach repeatedly used the same phrase to describe his team’s performance: disappointed.
“When it comes to the game today, very disappointed,” Glenn said. “I’m very disappointed. There’s no way you can win any game with 13 penalties and three turnovers. It just can’t happen, but what we have to do is go back to work. That’s the only way that we can fix it — really take a look at these penalties, take a look at these turnovers. We have to understand [that] before you can win games, you have to learn how not to lose games. We have to do a better job in that case, and we will. Again, the only way to do that is go back to work. That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s what we’ve got to do.”
Gang Green couldn’t get out of its own way on Monday. Some of their raw box score stats, for example, reflect a performance that should’ve been good enough to win. Not only did they outgain the Dolphins by 104 yards, but they were more efficient on third downs (44% versus 33%) and on a per-play basis (7.1 yards to 5.4). Those 13 penalties and three fumbles lost essentially sealed their fate, though.
Considering how New York responded against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3, showing plenty of fight, Glenn says this lack of focus hurts even more.
“Very disappointing,” Glenn said. “Very. To me, it was more or less the things we know that we can’t do to win games, we allowed that to happen. I thought our guys played with effort. I thought our guys understood the ramifications of this game. To go out there and have that many penalties — and, really, pre-snap penalties — and turn the ball over, that’s what was so disappointing this game. Listen, I’m not losing hope in our guys at all. I’m telling you now, we’ve just got to go back to work. That’s all we can do.”
Is New York Coaching Job More Difficult Than Glenn Expected?
The bad vibes were present from the get-go. In the first quarter, the Jets‘ opening offensive possession, running back Braelon Allen coughed up the football near the end zone. That wiped seven potential points off the board. In the second quarter, quarterback Justin Fields was sacked and his fumble set the Dolphins up at New York’s 43-yard line.
The mental mistakes didn’t stop there. To start the second half of play, return man Isaiah Williams fumbled the ball. Miami went on to score a touchdown on the ensuing possession to go up 17-3. In the fourth quarter, Williams then elected for a fair catch on a punt and put the Jets inside their own 5-yard line.
Those shortcomings, in addition to a massive number of infractions, made winning far too difficult of a task. Illegal blocks, false starts, illegal shifts, pass interference, a delay of game and more depicted a team that isn’t disciplined enough to succeed.
Glenn knows he signed up for a rebuilding team and growing pains, so he isn’t hitting the panic button yet. This isn’t a greater challenge than he anticipated.
“I don’t want to say that,” Glenn said. Listen, being a head coach of an NFL team is always challenging. I don’t care if you’re winning, because they’re already gunning for you [or] you’re losing because you’re trying to get things turned around. I do know that, but I will tell you that’s what makes it so intriguing for me: to be able to try to get us to understand exactly how we’ve got to win games and get this thing turned. Listen, my confidence is not going to wane not one bit…”
Still, it’s one heck of a taxing mental load for anyone to deal with. Upcoming contests against the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos may not present brighter days unless sharper execution takes place.
‘Disappointed’ Jets HC Aaron Glenn Reacts to Yet Another Loss