Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn is making his first return to Ford Field for a Week 3 showdown with the Detroit Lions, and trust me, Lions coach Dan Campbell isn’t playing down the challenge. Glenn, who was the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021-24, has clearly rebuilt the New York roster and coaching staff after what the source calls a “disappointing initial season.” Campbell himself confirmed the turnaround, saying the early returns on the Jets are “promising” and that this is absolutely “not the same team as it was last year.”
Aaron Glenn’s Return: A Different Beast
Campbell has a “tremendous amount of respect” for Glenn, calling him “somebody very close to me,” and you can tell from his words that he sees a completely different Jets squad rolling into town. The Lions coach noted that the Jets are “much more talented,” they “play hard,” and they now have a real “identity.” This isn’t just lip service from an old friend. Campbell talked about how when things get “rocky,” that’s when you “really find out what your conviction in something is,” and he explicitly stated that “AG checked all those boxes” during their time together. That’s huge insight, showing Campbell truly believes Glenn has built a legitimate contender.
Glenn is in his second season as a head coach, bringing 13 total NFL coaching seasons to the table. He spent four seasons as the Lions’ defensive coordinator. His influences are a who’s who of football minds, including Campbell, Bill Parcells, and Sean Payton for culture, plus Al Groh as a mentor. He’s played under a Mount Rushmore of defensive gurus like Parcells, Bill Belichick, Vic Fangio, and even Pete Carroll during his 16 seasons as an NFL player. This guy has seen it all, and he’s clearly calling the shots for the Jets.
Reich and the Revamped Offense
It’s not just Glenn, either. The Jets brought in Frank Reich as their offensive coordinator for 2026, marking his fifth year in that role across his 19 NFL coaching seasons. Reich, who has six seasons of head coaching experience with the Colts and Panthers, has some serious offensive chops. His passing game uses a modern Pro-Spread style, influenced by guys like Doug Pederson and Andy Reid, which means you can expect aggression and a lot of RPOs. On the ground, the Jets are running a “balanced, one-on-one inside-man-he” scheme. You know that kind of balance can be a nightmare to defend.
Adding to the intrigue, the Jets’ coaching staff has some familiar faces with ties to Detroit. Seth Ryan is their passing game coordinator, Steve Heiden is the offensive line coach, and Shawn Jefferson handles the wide receivers. These connections mean the Lions’ defensive staff has to be on top of their game, knowing these guys know the lay of the land at Ford Field.
For Week 3, facing a revamped Jets team led by Aaron Glenn and his new offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, is going to be a true test. This isn’t last year’s squad, not by a long shot. Get ready for a battle.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pride of Detroit.
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