New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn brushed off a blunt critique from Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty this week, making it clear that his squad’s response will come on the field rather than through a war of words.
Jeanty recently stoked the fire ahead of Sunday’s matchup by claiming that film study indicates certain defenders on the Jets unit—for which Glenn calls plays—do not want to tackle. Glenn’s reaction to the critique was succinct. “We have to play on Sunday, so that’s the reaction,” the coach said.
Asked whether the remarks would serve as bulletin board material, Glenn downplayed the need for artificial motivation in professional football. “Listen, this is the NFL, and I get it: Everybody’s motivated by certain things, but your true motivation is each week you get a chance to play,” Glenn said. “But words are always said between players, and that’s just what it is. Our guys will be ready to play.”
The running back’s critique arrives as the Jets defense looks to clean up its fundamentals after missing 13 tackles last week in a loss to the Miami Dolphins. According to Pro Football Focus tracking data, Jeanty himself has recorded 10 forced missed tackles, tying him for 27th in the league. Reflecting on the evolution of player culture, Glenn noted that young players without extensive résumés rarely engaged in trash talk during his own playing era, but he acknowledged that today’s athletes bring different personalities to the game. “Everybody’s different,” Glenn said. “Everybody has a certain personality that they want to bring out and show, and maybe that’s his. But again, you got to play on Sunday and see what happens.”
Beyond the verbal sparring, the Jets enter Sunday’s contest facing a significant injury crunch. Running back Breece Hall, dealing with a quad issue, remains questionable and is in danger of missing his fifth consecutive game after logging a limited practice on Friday. Hall politely declined an interview request regarding his rehabilitation. “We want to make sure,” Glenn said. “He’s a key cog in what we’re doing. Each time he goes out, there are certain points he has to hit to make sure we’re all good.”
In Hall’s continued absence, Braelon Allen has stepped up and performed capably as a lead back. Allen was a full participant in Friday’s practice.
The team’s depth will be severely tested elsewhere on the roster. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat (knee), edge rusher Joseph Ossai (ankle), and offensive lineman Max Mitchell (concussion) have been ruled out for Sunday after missing Friday’s practice sessions. Left guard Dylan Parham (knee) is listed as questionable following a limited practice, while edge rusher David Bailey (groin) is doubtful after sitting out entirely.
With multiple players sidelined on the edge, the Jets will turn to preseason standout Nate Lynn—who has logged just 11 defensive snaps so far—to shoulder an expanded workload. “He’s going to have to play more, and he’s going to have to play well,” Glenn said. “And he will.”
Meanwhile, right tackle Armand Membou faces one of the toughest tests of his two-year career as he prepares to match up against Raiders star Maxx Crosby. Glenn offered an encouraging vote of confidence to the young lineman. “Letting him know that you’re a dude, you’ve been a dude, and the thing is, he’s going against a top-flight guy that I feel like he can match up with,” Glenn said. “So, obviously, you’re going to need some help with a guy no matter what, but there’s going to be times he’s going to be one-on-one, so go be the guy we all know you can be, the guy that trained his a– off during training camp.”
