In a significant shake-up amid a disappointing season, the New York Jets have terminated the contract of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks just 14 games into his tenure. The announcement follows a particularly disheartening defeat where the Jets fell 48-20 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, further underscoring the team’s struggles on defense.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has appointed Chris Harris, the current defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, as the interim defensive coordinator. Harris is expected to lead the defense for the final three games of the season, with Glenn actively participating in game-planning to provide support.
Expressing his rationale for the dismissal, Glenn pointed to a lack of improvement within the defense, saying, “I just thought that from last week going to this week, the improvement wasn’t there, and I thought it was time to make a change.” He acknowledged the need to evaluate the team and make decisions in the best interest of the organization.
The Jets’ defensive struggles have been stark this season, as they sit 30th in scoring, 20th in yards allowed, and a troubling 28th in expected points added (EPA). A particularly concerning statistic is their lack of takeaways; the team has recorded only two takeaways and has not intercepted a pass in 14 games, tying them with the 2024 San Francisco 49ers for the longest streak in NFL history without an interception.
Glenn’s sentiments about the defense’s performance were echoed by team leaders who expressed frustration following the latest loss. Linebacker Quincy Williams refrained from discussing the team’s performance, stating simply, “I have nothing positive to say.” This lack of morale is reflected in their average of 28.3 points allowed per game, one of the worst marks the franchise has seen.
As Wilks took the reins with a squad that boasted nine returning starters, he faced the daunting task of integrating various new players into the system. Although there were moments of improvement earlier in the season, the team’s performance has noticeably declined in recent weeks. Glenn had initially supported Wilks, asserting that he would give him the remainder of the season to prove himself, which indicates the severity of the recent performances leading to the swift change.
Wilks, who has a history of coaching experience in the NFL, including stints as a head coach, came to the Jets looking to implement a defensive strategy in collaboration with Glenn. Notably, this was his sixth consecutive coaching job that concluded without success, raising questions about his future in the league.
Looking ahead, the Jets are preparing to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday. While Glenn has not confirmed whether he will stick with rookie quarterback Brady Cook, his endorsement signals a commitment to continue developing the team’s young talent amid a challenging season. The Jets hope the change in leadership will spark the much-needed turnaround as they aim to end their lengthy playoff drought and restore a competitive edge.