FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The New York Jets know that they need to figure out a way to play good defense if they have a chance of fielding a competitive team in 2025.
Head coach Aaron Glenn believes he has all the pieces to get that unit back to their elite level this season.
New York has All-Pro players at each level of their defense. They have young edge rushers, excellent linebackers, and one of the best cornerbacks in the league. That is a formula for success.
If there's one thing that the Jets' new head coach has seen, though, it is something that few defenses actually have.
"They are fast, they are really fast," Glenn said. "I would say this, and we don't have to coach this, and this is a really good thing, but we continue to stress it, is being able to pursuit.
"We have men on that defense that understands that, and when you watch practice, you see it."
Glenn made it clear that while the speed of the unit is impressive, he is also adding three values to their skill set. The first is already established. Teams must play fast in this league.
The other two, though, are an ability to tackle consistently, and cause turnovers. New York struggled on both counts over the last few years. A focus on the fundamentals can turn the ship around.
And get them to a level that can be helpful to winning football games for the first time in decades for the franchise.