Steve Wilks Joins Aaron Glenn to Rebuild the Jets Defense in 2025

Steve Wilks is returning to the NFL as the New York Jets’ defensive coordinator. He was hired on February 1, 2025, after not working in the league during the 2024 season. Previously, he was the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator in 2023. That season, the 49ers made it to Super Bowl LVIII but lost 25–22 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs. After the loss, the 49ers fired Wilks.

During 2024, Wilks volunteered at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He helped coach practices and spent afternoons studying film. On Mondays, he watched tapes of Sunday’s NFL games. One team he studied closely was the Detroit Lions, partly because of his friendship with Aaron Glenn, the Lions’ defensive coordinator at the time. In early 2025, Glenn became the Jets’ head coach and brought Wilks onto his staff.

Now, Wilks is tasked with improving a defense that was statistically strong but lacked impact plays. In 2024, the Jets ranked third in total yards allowed for the second year in a row. However, they finished 17th in defensive EPA (expected points added), a more accurate measure of defensive effectiveness, suggesting the defense gave up big plays and struggled in high-leverage moments.

Wilks will work with a core of eight returning starters. Key players include defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, linebacker Quincy Williams, and cornerback Sauce Gardner. All three have been selected for either a Pro Bowl or an All-Pro team. Wilks said both Quinnen Williams and Gardner are among the best at their positions. He also pointed out that Quincy Williams and linebacker Jamien Sherwood will be important in the middle of the defense.

Wilks and Glenn both use aggressive schemes with frequent blitzes. However, they differ in coverage style. Glenn prefers man-to-man coverage, while Wilks leans toward zone. The Jets plan to combine both styles. According to Wilks, the team’s success will come down to execution, not just play design. He emphasized Glenn’s phrase “play style,” meaning how the players perform on the field matters more than the system itself.

Wilks also brings head coaching experience. He led the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 and served as interim head coach for the Carolina Panthers in 2022. That background may help Glenn, who is now a head coach for the first time. Wilks said he understands how isolating the job can be and hopes to support Glenn beyond coaching duties.

In the secondary, Wilks will help two new starters: cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Andre Cisco. He also needs to manage a crowded defensive tackle group and build depth across the roster.

Meanwhile, the Jets offense is also going through changes. At quarterback, there’s a possible historic storyline. If Aaron Rodgers joins the Pittsburgh Steelers and Justin Fields starts for the Jets in Week 1, it would be the first time two quarterbacks opened a season after switching teams with each other the previous year. ESPN Research reported this as a potential first, but Rodgers has not signed with Pittsburgh as of now.

The Jets are also using new tools in practice. All quarterbacks are wearing helmet cameras that record video and audio, which helps coaches analyze decision-making and reactions. For example, they can track where the quarterback was looking and how quickly he moved through progressions. The team first tested this during rookie minicamp and is now using it in full practice.

At wide receiver, blocking has become a top priority. Coaches have introduced a new phrase: “No block, no rock.” In other words, if a receiver doesn’t block, he won’t get the ball. This focus comes after a weak 2024 performance in the run game. The Jets ranked 24th in rushes of 10 yards or more, with only 45 such plays.

Despite limited contact in the offseason, the team believes it has the size to improve in this area. Allen Lazard (6’5″, 227 pounds) and Josh Reynolds (6’3″, 192 pounds) are expected to lead. Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson remains from last year. Receiver Garrett Wilson said he now has to block safeties on some plays, which is a new role for him. He sees this as part of a cultural shift under the new staff.

The coaching tone has changed as well. During a recent OTA practice, Aaron Glenn was unhappy with the team’s energy and told the players directly. Justin Fields described Glenn as “one of the realest coaches” he’s worked with. Glenn expects full effort from everyone.

On the defensive line, Quinnen Williams is working to improve against the run. His run stop win rate fell to 13% in 2024, down from 15% in 2023, according to ESPN analytics. One scout said the new system, which emphasizes stopping the run, could help Williams regain his earlier form.

In terms of contracts, tight end Mason Taylor, the Jets’ second-round pick (No. 42 overall), has not signed yet. Only two second-round picks have signed league-wide as of early June. The delay is due to negotiations over guaranteed money. The first two players taken in the round both received fully guaranteed deals, which is unusual. Even though Taylor hasn’t signed, he is participating in team activities.

Rookie returner Jamaal Pritchett is another player to watch. He went undrafted out of South Alabama. At 5’8″ and 175 pounds, he ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and returned a punt for a touchdown in college. Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said Pritchett is performing well. Xavier Gipson remains the favorite for the return role, but Pritchett is pushing for playing time.

The Jets have four voluntary OTA practices left. After that, they’ll hold a three-day mandatory minicamp next week. Training camp begins in late July.

Finally, offensive line coach Steve Heiden spoke about first-round pick Armand Membou. Membou ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash at 332 pounds at the NFL Combine. Heiden said that while the time is impressive, performance on the field is more important. “He can play ball,” Heiden said.