Aaron Glenn Calls for Patience After Jets Fall to 0-2 Against Bills

When Aaron Glenn was hired as head coach of the New York Jets in January 2025, he made it clear that rebuilding the team would not be a one-year process. The former Pro Bowl cornerback, who played eight of his 15 NFL seasons in New York, stressed that establishing a system and culture would take time. Two weeks into the season, that message is already being tested after a lopsided loss to the Buffalo Bills.

On Sunday, September 14, at MetLife Stadium, the Jets fell 30-10 to their AFC East rival. Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen led an efficient attack that controlled the game from start to finish. New York’s offense produced only eight passing yards through three quarters and finished 0-for-11 on third downs. Quarterback Justin Fields, who threw for 218 yards and a touchdown in Week 1’s 20-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, completed just 3 of 11 passes for 27 yards against Buffalo before leaving early in the fourth quarter with a concussion. Glenn confirmed that if Fields is not cleared, veteran Tyrod Taylor will start in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The defense, which ranked among the league’s best in recent years, was overrun. The Bills rushed for 224 yards on more than five yards per carry. Running back James Cook averaged over six yards per attempt, frequently finding open cutback lanes. Glenn identified overpursuit as the key issue, explaining that while effort was high, multiple defenders ran past plays and allowed gaps. He emphasized that this must be corrected in future meetings.

The loss came one week after the defense allowed 34 points to Aaron Rodgers and the Cleveland Browns. Glenn admitted the most disappointing part of Sunday’s game was that Buffalo beat the Jets with the same style of physical, ball-control football the Jets want to play. “Disappointed in how we played yesterday,” Glenn said Monday. “I thought Buffalo beat us with our brand of football.” He added, “I hate the way that we played yesterday. But I know what type of players we have and type of coaching staff we have. And we’re gonna do everything we can to try to fix these problems and move forward.”

Sportsbooks wasted no time adjusting the numbers. Tampa Bay opened as a 6.5-point favorite, but the line has since moved to Buccaneers -7 at most sportsbooks. Totals dropped from 45.5 to 44.5. Moneylines have ranged from Tampa Bay -300 to -345 and New York +240 to +275. The shift reflects concerns about Fields’ concussion status and the potential for Taylor to start. Analysts offered different reads: Covers leaned toward Tampa Bay at -6.5, while BetMGM’s editorial pick suggested the Jets could cover +7. ESPN’s Football Power Index projected a 67.5 percent win probability for Tampa Bay, aligning with the spread. Futures markets showed a similar trend, with playoff odds for the Jets dropping to +650 from about +475 and their Super Bowl number extending out to +40,000.

Despite the outcome, Glenn insisted his message of patience remains unchanged. “I know this is an instant coffee league,” he said. “I know from the media to the fans, everybody expects this, when you just start, ‘OK, we’re going to the Super Bowl.’ But we’ve all played with Legos before. And we all know that, man, you have to make sure everything is aligned and you keep stacking it day by day by day. And to me, that’s how I look at it.”

Glenn cited examples of teams that found success after early struggles. In 2021, the Philadelphia Eagles started 2-5 under Nick Sirianni before rallying into the playoffs. During his time as defensive coordinator in Detroit, Glenn saw the Lions move from one of the league’s worst teams in 2021 into one of its most respected rosters. He also said that the Kansas City Chiefs, defending Super Bowl champions, began this season 0-2 but are not considered finished because of their proven roster and staff.

There were a few positives in Week 2. Rookie punter Austin McNamara averaged 48.6 yards on seven punts, with five landing inside Buffalo’s 21-yard line. Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, acquired last month from Cleveland in a trade that swapped 2026 late-round picks, recorded his first career sack along with five tackles, two quarterback hits, a tackle for loss, and a forced fumble.

Mistakes overshadowed those performances. Defensive tackle Micheal Clemons drew a roughing-the-passer penalty on third-and-19 during Buffalo’s opening drive. Instead of forcing a punt, the penalty extended a 12-play series that ended in a touchdown. Glenn said of the play, “It can’t happen.”

Injuries added to the concern. Alongside Fields’ concussion, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle), safety Tony Adams (groin), and nickel cornerback Michael Carter II (shoulder) were under evaluation. Wide receiver Josh Reynolds and running back and returner Kene Nwangwu missed the game with hamstring injuries.

The Jets are 0-2, and history offers little encouragement. Since 1990, only 15 percent of teams that started 0-2 have reached the postseason. New York has not appeared in the playoffs since the 2010 season, a 14-year drought that has tested fan patience. Glenn, however, maintained that neither his confidence nor that of his players and staff has been shaken. “I understand the outside noise and I’m not affected by outside noise because I know exactly what we’re trying to build here,” he said. “And I wish it was instant coffee, but it’s not. These things take time.”

The Jets will travel to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, September 21, to face the 2-0 Buccaneers, led by former Jets head coach Todd Bowles. Glenn will be seeking his first win, while New York looks to show improvement after consecutive losses that revealed how far the team still has to go.