New York Jets players aren’t necessarily being subtle about their glee over moving on from the disastrous 2023 and 2024 seasons into a new era under rookie head coach Aaron Glenn. According to Jets fans, the team’s players seem to be publicly reveling in that fact every chance they get. From open interviews to social media posts to cryptic locker room comments, there is a growing wave of optimism and unfiltered relief flowing through the organization—something not felt since the brief euphoria of the early Robert Saleh years. And while the scars of the past still linger—especially among players who lived through the endless quarterback changes, defensive meltdowns, and locker room fractures—it’s evident that the Jets are, for the first time in a while, starting to believe again.
Aaron Glenn’s arrival has brought not just a change in scheme or system, but a complete cultural reset. A former Jets cornerback and beloved NFL assistant who built a reputation as a player-friendly motivator and no-nonsense leader during his time with the Saints and Lions, Glenn has quickly ingrained himself into the very DNA of this rebuilding Jets team. Players who were often tight-lipped during the tail end of last season have been unusually expressive during training camp and offseason workouts. For example, veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley told reporters last week that this is “the first time in years I’ve seen the whole building on the same page,” a telling indictment of what had been happening internally during the Saleh era. Mosley, once one of the few constants on an ever-turbulent defense, looked noticeably energized, embracing Glenn’s direct style and defensive pedigree.
But it’s not just the veterans who are embracing the change. Younger players who were drafted into chaos are finally being given a structure that emphasizes both accountability and development. Former first-round pick Zach Wilson, once hailed as the franchise’s savior and later discarded into obscurity after a string of disastrous starts, has been reintegrated into the quarterback room under a no-pressure, developmental approach. While Wilson is not expected to start, sources say he has been “engaged and focused” in film sessions and has even formed a mentorship-type bond with newly acquired quarterback Jaxson Dart, a second-round pick out of Ole Miss. Dart, who has been the centerpiece of Glenn’s early rebuild, carries himself with a quiet confidence that has reportedly impressed both teammates and coaches. His deep-ball accuracy, athleticism, and poise have drawn comparisons to a young Justin Herbert, and while such projections are premature, the fact that Jets players are even making them says something about the tone shift within Florham Park.
Social media has played a role in amplifying this transition. Safety Tony Adams, known for his candid X (formerly Twitter) posts, recently tweeted, “The past is the past. No more excuses. Time to build a dynasty,” a message liked by over a dozen teammates including Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Alijah Vera-Tucker. It’s hard to imagine such a unified message even a year ago, when the team seemed fractured not just between offense and defense, but within individual position groups. Gardner, the All-Pro cornerback whose frustration often boiled over in subtle jabs and passive-aggressive post-game interviews, has turned into one of the loudest internal advocates for Glenn’s regime. During minicamp, he was spotted wearing a T-shirt that read “AG ERA” across the chest, a nod to Aaron Glenn’s initials. It’s the kind of symbolic loyalty that speaks volumes in a locker room that had previously grown wary of leadership turnover and broken promises.
The same sentiment extends to the coaching staff. Glenn’s decision to bring in several former players as position coaches—including former Pro Bowl safety Glover Quin and ex-Lions pass rusher Cliff Avril—has created a relatable, player-first environment where the message is clear: everyone here has worn the pads and understands the grind. Offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, a former CFL quarterback and respected NFL offensive mind, has been given the freedom to install a creative and up-tempo offense tailored to the strengths of both Dart and the receiving corps. Garrett Wilson, who endured multiple quarterbacks and schematic shifts over the past two seasons, has finally found stability. According to insiders, Wilson and Dart have formed an almost instantaneous connection both on and off the field. During OTAs, Wilson reportedly told staffers, “This is the guy. We’re gonna make history,” in reference to Dart’s leadership and accuracy.
Behind the scenes, there’s also been a significant shift in how the front office interacts with players. General manager Joe Douglas, previously under fire for botched quarterback evaluations and controversial free-agent signings, has taken a backseat in daily team affairs, allowing Glenn to mold the roster more directly. This decentralization of power has allowed players to feel more heard, according to those close to the team. One anonymous veteran reportedly told a local beat reporter, “For once, it feels like we’re not being gaslit every week. Glenn tells it like it is, and he listens. That’s all we’ve ever wanted.”
Even in areas where the Jets have historically struggled—like the offensive line—there’s a noticeable infusion of energy. Rookie left tackle Jaden Richards, a second-round pick from Oregon State, has quickly become a fan favorite with his outspoken personality and aggressive playstyle. He was the first rookie to speak during rookie minicamp, delivering what teammates called a “chilling” speech about accountability and brotherhood. “I didn’t come here to be a turnstile,” Richards told the media after the team’s first padded practice. “I came here to protect the future of this franchise. Period.” His words quickly went viral on TikTok and Instagram, earning him the nickname “The Bodyguard” among fans and even teammates.
This new identity isn’t just noise—it’s beginning to translate into real on-field cohesion. During a recent joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens, the Jets’ defense held Lamar Jackson and the first-team offense to just one touchdown in seven full-team reps, forcing multiple throwaways and tipped balls. Glenn’s aggressive man-coverage schemes, coupled with a rejuvenated defensive line anchored by Quinnen Williams, are giving the team a clear identity: tough, fast, and unapologetically confident. For a fanbase long starved of swagger, this version of the Jets feels fresh, dynamic, and—most importantly—unafraid.
None of this guarantees success. The AFC East remains one of the toughest divisions in football, with Josh Allen’s Bills still formidable, the Dolphins armed with explosive weapons, and the Patriots under new leadership. But what the Jets have lacked in recent years wasn’t just talent—it was belief. Belief in a vision, a culture, and each other. Aaron Glenn has reintroduced that belief in ways that transcend scheme or Xs and Os.
Critics will rightly point out that summer optimism is a tale as old as time in the NFL. Every year, a team wins the offseason only to falter when the pads come on for real. Jets fans know this more than anyone—hope has betrayed them many times before. Yet there’s a notable difference in tone this year. The players aren’t just excited. They’re relieved. They aren’t just hopeful. They’re bought in. And for a team that has been defined by turnover, trauma, and turmoil for over a decade, that buy-in might be the most meaningful progress of all.
Aaron Glenn still has to prove he can win games, handle media pressure, and weather the inevitable storms that come with leading a team in the nation’s biggest media market. But for now, the signs are promising. The locker room no longer feels like a place of whispered frustrations and unspoken divisions. It’s a space where players are laughing again, competing with edge again, and—most importantly—playing for one another again. Jets fans, who have waited years for a team they can emotionally invest in without fear of heartbreak, are beginning to cautiously believe. And the players? They’re no longer hiding their emotions. They’ve shed the weight of dysfunction and are embracing the fresh air of a new regime, determined to turn the page on the past and write something far more inspiring.
