Apparently the performance put forward by his defense against the Jaguars yesterday was too much for defensive coordinator Steve Wilks to survive. Head coach Aaron Glenn met with the media today and said that he has relieved Wilks of his duties the day after watching the Jacksonville Jaguars light up the scoreboard in a 48-20 win against the Jets.
There’s no denying that the Jets talent on defense is lacking. Following the trades of Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner, the unit was bound to take a few steps back, but the Jets recent performances are about more than talent.
Time and time again the Jets have been out-schemed by opposing offenses as Jets defenders appear nowhere close to being in position to make a play. How many times did the Miami Dolphins run play action against the Jets with the entire unit flowing in the wrong direction, allowing for wide open, pressure-free completions? And it was more of the same yesterday against the Jaguars, who, despite taking their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter, managed to score 48 points on five Trevor Lawrence touchdown passes.
Taking over for Steve Wilks will be defensive backs coach Chris Harris as Gang Green looks to close out the season against the Saints, Patriots and Bills.
Harris has never been a play caller, but has worked as a defensive coach since 2013, spending time with the Bears, Chargers, Washington and the Titans. A former safety who played eight pro seasons in Chicago, Harris will inherit a unit that has surrendered 31 points per game over their past five contests.
