Head coach Aaron Glenn isn't starting from scratch.
The New York Jets' defense struggled mightily during a 3-14 campaign in 2025, but not every takeaway from last season was negative. Despite finishing near the bottom of the league in several key defensive categories, the roster still features productive young defenders, experienced veterans and an encouraging pass-rushing foundation.
If those strengths continue to develop, Glenn could have the pieces necessary to orchestrate a significant defensive turnaround in 2026. Every successful defense needs a player who sets the tone. For the Jets,that's Jamien Sherwood.
With that, here are Jets Wire's five trends on defense Glenn can build on in 2026:
Jamien Sherwood has become the defense's heartbeat
Entering his sixth NFL season, Sherwood has developed
into one of the league's most productive linebackers. After recording 154 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks in 2025, he has amassed more than 250 tackles over the past two seasons.
Beyond the statistics, Sherwood brings leadership and consistency to the middle of the defense. His ability to diagnose plays, clean up mistakes and keep teammates aligned gives Glenn a dependable centerpiece around which to build.
Young pass rushers have shown encouraging signs
The Jets' overall sack total left plenty to be desired, but several individual performances offer reason for optimism. Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs accounted for four of New York's 26 sacks last season.
While four sacks may not jump off the page, interior pressure is often more disruptive than edge pressure because it collapses the pocket directly into a quarterback's line of sight. If Briggs can continue developing while adding another sack or two, he could become an even more valuable part of the defensive front.
Joseph Ossai has been a dependable contributor
Consistency matters when building a pass rush. Joseph Ossai enters the season after recording at least five sacks in each of the past two years. That gives the New York Jets another reliable option off the edge.
While he's not expected to carry the entire pass rush on his own, his steady production provides Duker with a proven contributor capable of complementing the rest of New York's defensive front.
Will McDonald has already proven he can finish
Few defensive statistics are more valuable than sacks, and Will McDonald continues to produce them. He has recorded at least eight sacks in each of the past two seasons, including a breakout 10.5-sack campaign in 2024.
His ability to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks gives the Jets a legitimate building block at one of the game's premium positions. If McDonald continues developing while newcomers like David Bailey draw additional attention from opposing offenses, New York's pass rush could take a significant step forward.
A favorable schedule creates an opportunity
Improvement still has to be earned, but the schedule could work in the Jets' favor. After finishing last in the AFC East, New York enters 2026 with a last-place schedule. The Jets will still face quality competition, including the NFC North and AFC West, but based on last season's records, their slate projects to be more manageable than those of several division rivals.
A favorable schedule won't solve defensive issues by itself, but it can provide opportunities for a young unit to gain confidence while adapting to Duker's system during the early months of the season.
The Jets know dramatic improvement won't happen overnight, but Glenn inherits more than a collection of disappointing statistics.
Glenn also inherits a productive linebacker in Jamien Sherwood, ascending pass rushers in Will McDonald, Joseph Ossai and Jowon Briggs, and a schedule that could allow a rebuilt defense to find its footing. If those strengths continue trending upward, New York's defense may improve faster than many expect.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 5 trends on defense Jets' Aaron Glenn can build on in 2026
