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After giving up 48 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last loss, the New York Jets fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games left on the 2025 schedule.
The move comes just after Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars offense had their way with the Jets defense, which has been one of the worst teams in points allowed this season (28.4 per game).
Jets first-year head coach Aaron Glenn made the announcement Monday despite previously saying he believed in Wilks’ scheme. Coming from a defensive background, Glenn made the decision to have defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Chris Harris take over in Wilks’ absence.
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New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks in the preseason game against the New York Giants on August 16, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
This move also comes a week after the Miami Dolphins scored 34 points on the Jets in a lopsided loss.
“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said, via the New York Post. “I’ve said this all the time. I’m evaluating the players. I’m evaluating the coaches. I’m evaluating myself. I just felt like this was the best decision at this time for the team and for this organization.”
Wilks has personally struggled in recent seasons. He has not served more than one year with the same team since his time with the Carolina Panthers from 2012 to 2017. He was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, but lasted one year after a 3-13 record.
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Wilks then became the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator in 2019, but also lasted just one season there. He was out of football in 2020 before heading to Missouri to serve in the same role. Wilks was with the Panthers again in 2022 before joining the San Francisco 49ers on their run to the Super Bowl as their defensive coordinator.
It was a surprising decision to see the 49ers move on after that season with Wilks, who did not coach in 2024 before joining the Jets this season. Once again, he will have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue training.
The only thing left for the Jets this season is to evaluate everything. They were eliminated from the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season, the longest drought in professional sports. Sunday’s loss marked a 3-11 season.
New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks watches during the 2025 NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 7, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Every player and coach is being evaluated for New York and the defense has a lot of work to do. It doesn’t help that stars like Quinnen Williams (Dallas Cowboys) and Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts) were traded before the NFL deadline, but the Jets are on pace to allow the second-most points in franchise history.
And in a game where winning the turnover battle is key, the Jets have had just two takeaways all season, although they have failed to record an interception in 14 games. It is currently tied for the longest streak in the NFL.
The Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions, practically having their way with the Jets unit.
“I just thought from last week to this week the improvement hadn’t happened,” Glenn said. “I thought it was time to make a change.
“I want to see constant improvement.”
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The Jets will try to do it in their remaining three games to hopefully build momentum heading into 2026. It starts with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a 4-10 group that has disrupted the NFC South division after wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in their last two games.
New York will finish its season against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, both of whom are seeking the AFC East title, where the Jets can potentially play a decisive role.
