The Jets have held 12 practices in camp, and principles and fundamentals have been stressed at every turn. The good teams block and tackle well and Glenn's workouts have been highlighted by their physicality and pace.
"I see it in our compete level, in our compete level," said special teams coordinator Chris Banjo. "When you talk about what AG stresses and, like you just said, his personality, I think it becomes very, very infectious and that starts to spread, and you kind of start to see the juice from guys at practice, the competitive talk. I won't use the word I wanted to use, but the competitive talking on the field. I think that all signifies what AG's kind of bringing, and again, the juice that they've been able to play with has been really, really cool to watch."
The Jets will bring the juice on Saturday, and you get the sense the starters would have been surprised if they were told they weren't playing.
"If you all look, we've been tackling in practice," said CB Sauce Gardner. "So, I was pretty sure that he was going to want us to be able to tackle another team. I'm embracing that and I'm looking forward to it. But I definitely was not surprised -- none of us were surprised when he said that."
More than half the Jets roster is composed of players with two years or fewer of professional experience. The Green & White have 21 rookies, 14 first-year players and 11 second-year players. While TE Mason Taylor (high ankle sprain) and CB Azareye'h Thomas (shoulder) will have to wait for their first pro action, most of the 2025 draft class will make their debuts.
"A lot of butterflies, for sure," said LB Francisco Mauigoa, a fifth-round pick (No. 162 overall) from Miami. "I'm going to soak it all in and just be in the moment. That's the main thing is just being in the moment, be where your fit is at, and I know it's going to be a very exciting moment."
The backdrop for the Jets' new beginning will be historic Lambeau Field. Packers HC Matt LaFleur also said his team will play starters during the teams' preseason opener.
"Lambeau is a special place if you haven't been there whether you're a player or fan," said veteran wideout Allen Lazard, who totaled 259 receptions and 20 TDs with the Packers from 2018-22. "If you just love football, there's no better venue to go experience a football game than Lambeau Field, so I'll really be looking forward to that."
Glenn said it will be special leading his team out of a tunnel for the first time. But then it's time for football and all the Jets are embracing an opportunity to get started.
"I love football," Gardner said. "I'm obsessed with football, so any chance that I got to play I'm always going to love the idea of it."