For the first time this season, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn publicly questioned his team’s effort following a blowout loss to the New England Patriots in Week 17.
The 42-10 defeat dropped New York to 3-13 on the season.
Glenn said the overall effort must improve, and at least one defensive leader has already responded to the criticism.
“Today was probably the one time I feel like our effort wasn’t as good as it we want it to be,” Glenn said postgame.
Jermaine Johnson responses to Aaron Glenn’s criticism
Jets outside linebacker and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson told reporters postgame that he needed to watch the film but he feels like the team was “playing hard.”
“I gotta go watch the tape,” he said. “We talked about commitment before the game, regardless of the record. All of us signed up to play here and we all made a commitment to this team. I tried to make sure I was giving the team all I had. I’m not sure about everybody else, but I feel like my teammates were playing hard.”
Aaron Glenn job security back in question
Despite reports from several weeks ago indicating owner Woody Johnson planned to retain Glenn for another season, the Jets’ recent slide has cast doubt on that commitment. New York has now dropped four straight games in lopsided fashion, prompting renewed scrutiny of the owner’s decision.
“Woody knows I’m not going to BS him about anything at all,” Glenn said. “We’re always going to be straightforward with each other. The No. 1 thing is we have to get better. What are those things we have to do to get better? We put our heads together and figure out what steps we have to take.
“I do know there’s a belief in me and I have a belief in him.”
Glenn said he took the job because of his relationship with Johnson.