Jets Dismiss Defensive Coordinator Steve Wilks After Crushing Defeat to Jaguars
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after a devastating 48-point loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, a move that underscores the team’s defensive struggles during the 2025 NFL season. The Jets, now holding a 3-11 record, have been on pace to surrender one of the highest point totals in franchise history, averaging 28.4 points allowed per game.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who himself has a defensive background, made the announcement on Monday, signaling a shift in leadership with three games remaining in the regular season. Glenn appointed defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Chris Harris to take over Wilks’s responsibilities immediately. This decision came despite Glenn’s earlier public support for Wilks’s defensive scheme.
“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said, as reported by the NFL official site. “I’m evaluating players. I’m evaluating coaches. I’m evaluating myself. I just felt like this was the best decision right now for the team and for this organization.”
The Jets’ defense has been under intense scrutiny after allowing 48 points to the Jaguars, led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whose offense exploited New York’s defensive vulnerabilities. This follows a similarly lopsided defeat the previous week when the Miami Dolphins scored 34 points against the Jets.
Wilks’s tenure with the Jets was marked by inconsistency and defensive lapses. Before joining New York this season, Wilks had a journeyman coaching career that included stints as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, defensive coordinator roles with the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers, and time coaching at Missouri and with the Carolina Panthers. Despite guiding the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2023, Wilks was not retained for the following season.
His departure from the Jets continues a pattern of short stays, as Wilks has not remained with the same team for more than a year since his time with the Panthers from 2012 to 2017. The Jets’ decision reflects a broader organizational evaluation as they look to rebuild and improve their defensive performance.
The move also highlights the pressure NFL teams face to adjust coaching staff midseason when results fall short. The Jets now turn to Harris, who will have the challenging task of stabilizing a defense that has struggled to contain opposing offenses.
For more on NFL coaching changes and team strategies, visit the NFL Players Association and the official NFL news page. The Jets’ defensive woes and coaching shakeup serve as a reminder of the high stakes and rapid changes inherent in professional football.
As the Jets prepare for their remaining three games, the organization’s focus will be on evaluating talent and coaching effectiveness in hopes of building a more competitive team for the future. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the coaching change can spark a turnaround in New York’s defense.
For ongoing coverage of the NFL and team developments, refer to the ESPN NFL section and the Fox Sports NFL page.
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