After an embarrassing performance in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Jets have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
Even with a discernible lack of talent on the field, the Jets have not looked like an NFL caliber defense the last two weeks (or for the bulk of the season if we are being honest). It’s one thing to lose because of a lack of talent. The Jets are getting torched regularly because their players aren’t executing basic coverages or communications. On some level that is likely a coaching issue. The team has also seen a number of players take a clear step backwards in performance this season such as Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Jamien Sherwood, and Quincy Williams. These regressions can’t all be blamed on Wilks, but it’s a bad sign for a coaching staff when this many players aren’t performing.
With three games left in a lost season, this move might not make a big difference to the team’s immediate fortunes, but it is a positive sign the Jets are at least willing to move on from a coordinator who wasn’t effective.
Harris was hired by Glenn as the team’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator this offseason coming over from Tennessee. He now gets a three game audition for the job.
