A strong message has been delivered from the New York Jets roster to new head coach Aaron Glenn: commitment is key.
“I really credit the players, not just for today or yesterday but for all the effort they’ve put in throughout our entire offseason program. Yesterday, we had 100% participation, and looking at today, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s the same,” Glenn remarked during the first week of organized team activities (OTAs).
“What stands out to me is that we have many players present, which indicates one thing—they’re buying in and they believe in what we’re doing. They don’t have to be here since it’s not mandatory,” Glenn added.
Currently, the Jets are in phase three of their OTAs. They have a mandatory three-day minicamp scheduled from June 10-12, where attendance is required, and players could face fines for missing it.
Glenn Was Able to Flip a Leader’s Perspective
On January 22, the Jets officially appointed Glenn as their new head coach, followed by the hiring of general manager Darren Mougey on January 25.
The first major decision they faced together was determining the team’s future with Aaron Rodgers.
The moment he arrived at the Jets facilities, Rodgers was already the most celebrated quarterback in the franchise’s history and one of the most popular players. Choosing to move on from him could have significant repercussions.
And indeed, it did.
Rumors about the Jets potentially parting ways with Rodgers surfaced, reported by NFL on FOX Insider Jay Glazer.
Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams reacted strongly on social media, expressing his dissatisfaction with the team’s decision.
This was exactly what Glenn had feared when considering a change regarding Rodgers.
Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, traveled to meet with the Jets this offseason to discuss his future. He shared insights from that meeting during an extensive interview on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
One notable exchange was about what Glenn communicated to Rodgers.
“I don’t want to be in front of the room saying something and have guys look back at you,” Rodgers recounted Glenn’s words.
“I thought there would be a conversation when I flew across the country to meet with the Jets. We sat down in the office, and 20 seconds in, the coach said we’re going in a different direction. That’s fine, but they could have just told me that over the phone,” Rodgers said.
When the Jets decided to move on from Rodgers, Williams initially expressed his support for him on social media, saying, “Another rebuild year for me I guess 🙄.”
This reaction highlighted Glenn’s concern that Rodgers’ departure could create division within the locker room as new leadership emerged.
However, Glenn was able to speak with Williams, align their perspectives, and ultimately resolve the situation. The players have since fully embraced Glenn’s leadership.
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