The New York Jets have made a dramatic mid-season change, dismissing defensive coordinator Steve Wilks in the wake of a humiliating 48-20 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Major Shake-Up After Defensive Collapse
Head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed the decision on Monday 15 December 2025, just one day after his team's performance at MetLife Stadium. The loss plunged the Jets' dismal season record to 3 wins and 11 losses. Glenn, in his first year as head coach, stated he informed Wilks of the dismissal on Monday morning, calling it "the best decision for the organization at this time."
The move was reportedly decided late on Sunday night, hours after the Jaguars racked up nearly fifty points against a porous Jets defence. Wilks was the first coordinator Glenn hired upon taking the job in January.
Defensive Struggles Lead to Historic Low
Under Wilks' leadership, the Jets' defensive unit was consistently among the league's worst. Key failures included:
- Ranking at the bottom of the NFL against the run.
- Allowing a high number of points per game.
- Setting an unwanted NFL record by failing to record a single interception through the team's first 14 games.
Wilks, who previously served as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator in 2023 before being fired after their Super Bowl loss, could not reverse the Jets' fortunes.
New Leadership and a Weekend of NFL Woes
Chris Harris, the team's current defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, will immediately step into the vacant defensive coordinator role. Coach Glenn announced he would personally assist Harris with play-calling duties for the upcoming week, taking a hands-on approach to salvage the defence.
The Jets' disastrous weekend was mirrored elsewhere in the league. The Kansas City Chiefs saw their playoff hopes end with a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The defeat was compounded by a severe injury to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and will miss the remainder of the season. Mahomes later posted on social media platform X, vowing to return "stronger than ever."
For the Jets, the focus now shifts to whether this major coaching change can provide a spark for the final games of a bitterly disappointing campaign.
