Aaron Glenn and Jets eager to put disastrous season behind them and continue to build for the future

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn began his tenure as the New York Jets’ head coach with bold talk of changing a culture and fixing the failing foundation of a struggling franchise.

Nearly a year later, the Jets remain a major work in progress.

Glenn was the first coach in team history to open with seven consecutive losses. It didn't get much better as New York finished 3-14 and had one of the worst closing stretches in NFL history by getting outscored 188-46 during their season-ending five-game losing streak.

“I let the players down,” Glenn said Sunday after the Jets' 35-8 loss at Buffalo. “I let the organization down, and that burns me, it really does. This was not expected of where we are this season and I understand that. But here’s what I do know: I know the reason why I came here, and I am not going to waver from my belief and what I think wins games in this league.”

He still apparently has the backing of owner Woody Johnson, who didn't make the kneejerk reaction to cut ties with Glenn after just one awful season.

Some frustrated fans might disagree, though. They haven't seen their team go to the playoffs in 15 years, the league's longest active postseason drought. And they might not be sure Glenn, a former star player for the Jets, is the right person to lead them back to respectability. There are questions about personnel and staff decisions, in-game calls and general head coaching acumen.

His players, though, remain optimistic and receptive to Glenn's vision.

“I’m still encouraged, man,” said center Josh Myers, who finished his first season with the Jets after four in Green Bay. “I believe in AG and everything that he’s preached. I’ve been around enough good leaders to know that he's a great one. I trust that we’re going to come back and have a great season next year.”

There are plenty of decisions that need to be made by Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey for that to happen.

“If we have the same conversation — you can ask me this question next year — and I’ll be able to have a more direct answer to the fans. But for right now, it’s Year 1. There’s so much to figure out,” said defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who has seen rebuilds in Buffalo and Minnesota.

“Give us the next eight months of an offseason. Let us go out there and try to put our best foot forward next season, and let’s see what the results show.”

QB search

The Jets have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft in April. As a result of their trade of cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis in November, they also have the No. 16 selection, along with two second-rounders, including one they received from Dallas for trading defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

But with the failed stint of Justin Fields, who could be released in the offseason after just one season, quarterback will be the No. 1 target. That means Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore, if he doesn't return to school, are very much in play for New York.

Adding a veteran in free agency or via trade also isn't out of the question, with the likes of Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins, Malik Willis, Marcus Mariota and Jacoby Brissett among those who could be in play. Backup Tyrod Taylor is scheduled to be a free agent.

New-look D

Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games left and the Jets crawled to the finish line under interim Chris Harris as they ended with five blowout losses.

“That's gonna go down as a terrible statistic over a span of time,” Phillips said. “Nobody in this organization want to have their name affiliated with that and, unfortunately, we do — and my hand is in that.”

Another issue was the Jets not getting their hands on the football. They became the first team in NFL history without an interception in a full season.

Hall done?

The future of running back Breece Hall will be a big focus. After running for 1,000 yards for the first time in his four NFL seasons, Hall can become a free agent.

Glenn has regularly praised Hall and the running back has been a key part of the offense. New York could place the franchise tag or transition tag on him or sign him to a new deal. Or Hall, who was the subject of trade rumors, could opt to find a new backfield elsewhere.

Other free agents

The Jets have around two dozen potential free agents, so there could be a major roster overhaul — fitting for a team that struggled so much.

Among those scheduled to be free agents: kicker Nick Folk, offensive linemen Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson, safeties Andre Cisco and Tony Adams and linebacker Quincy Williams.

Wilson's return

Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, one of the Jets' few stars, was limited to just seven games because of a knee injury that ended his streak of consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards receiving to begin his career at three.

He should be back during the offseason workouts and will provide a No. 1 option for whoever the quarterback is next season. In-season additions Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III are solid complementary pieces.

Next steps

The focus for Glenn, Mougey and the Jets turns to gearing up for free agency — they should have about $95 million in salary cap space — and evaluating for what could be a franchise-altering draft.

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