Former Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has had a challenging first year as the head coach of the New York Jets. When Glenn left the Lions for his first-ever head coach gig, he likely understood the trials and tribulations that would come with it.
However, the former Lions DC likely didn’t envision being winless (0-6) through the first six weeks of the season. On Sunday, the Jets fell to the Broncos 13-11 in London, as New York’s offense struggled mightily.
The Jets were held to 82 total yards of offense and were 2-of-15 on third down conversions. And not to mention, QB Justin Fields was sacked a ridiculous nine times. Despite all of that, the Jets still had a chance to win, but Glenn’s decision not to kick a field goal and put his trust in Fields backfired badly.
Aaron Glenn Is Putting Himself on Chopping Block After Another Loss
Late in the fourth quarter, the former Lions defensive coordinator had the option to kick a 62-yard field goal with veteran Nick Folk or leave his offense on the field to try to convert a fourth-and-8.
Based on how Fields and the offense had performed throughout most of the game, the best option would be to attempt a 60-plus-yard field goal with Folk. However, the first-time head coach decided to leave Fields on the field, which was a disastrous call.
The former Bears quarterback could not get a throw off as the Broncos’ defense found its way into the backfield and brought down Fields for the ninth and final sack. Glenn has hitched his wagon to Fields, who was signed to a two-year deal in the offseason, which doesn't look like a good gamble.
On social media, some New York fans were placing the blame on Fields for holding the ball too long, but others questioned why Glenn didn’t attempt the field goal. You could make a case that a 62-yard kick is a coin flip. But with how New York’s offense performed today, Folk might’ve given you the best chance to escape with a win.
After dropping another game, Glenn now enters troublesome territory as the last two Jets head coaches who started 0-6 didn’t return for the following year, per Jason B. Hirschhorn of The Leap.
That leaves the question: would the Jets part ways with Glenn after one year, knowing that this is a rebuild and it's his first head coaching gig? The rational response would be to give Glenn another year, with possibly a different quarterback.
However, if Fields doesn’t show some improvement and consistency, and the Jets fail to win five games, which they did last year, Glenn will be putting himself on the chopping block in the Big Apple.