The Jets begin a new era in June 2025 as coach Aaron Glenn takes over and QB Justin Fields leads the offense after Rodgers, Adams, and Mosley depart.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
It's official: the old guard is out, and a new era has dawned in Florham Park. Tuesday marked a symbolic turning of the page for the New York Jets, with the team fully embracing a youth movement under new head coach Aaron Glenn. The departures of Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams are now firmly in the rearview, and the retirement of defensive stalwart C.J. Mosley on his 33rd birthday closes another chapter. The franchise's hopes now rest squarely on the shoulders of a new core led by quarterback Justin Fields.
The retirement of linebacker C.J. Mosley, announced on his 33rd birthday, marks the end of an era for the Jets' defense.
There's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Aaron Glenn. The former Detroit defensive coordinator brings a fresh, defensive-minded philosophy to a team that desperately needs a new identity. Glenn has wasted no time installing his regime, bringing in Tanner Engstrand from Detroit to run the offense and veteran coach Steve Wilks to command the defense. The message from the top is clear: discipline, toughness, and a defensive backbone will be the foundation, with anchors like Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and a newly promoted Jamien Sherwood expected to lead the charge.
All eyes are on the new QB1, Justin Fields. While his electric, dual-threat ability is undeniable, the central question for OC Tanner Engstrand is how to build a complete offense around him. Early analysis suggests a heavy reliance on Fields' legs, play-action, and getting the ball to playmakers Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall in space. This has led to concerns the offense could become predictable and one-dimensional. Pro Football Focus has already labeled Fields a 'make-or-break' player for 2025, a designation that feels apt. The team's success hinges on whether Engstrand can unlock Fields' full potential as a passer, not just a runner.
The roster transformation is stark. Gone are the high-profile veterans; in their place is a wave of young talent. While C.J. Mosley's retirement leaves a massive leadership void at linebacker, it cements the team's pivot to youth. On offense, the chemistry between Fields and Garrett Wilson is reportedly blossoming in early workouts. They'll be joined by key young pieces like rookie tackle Armand Membou, tasked with protecting Fields, and tight end Mason Taylor. The defense, long the team's strength, will continue to lean on its All-Pro cornerstones in Gardner and Williams, but will need new leaders to emerge in Mosley's absence.
The blueprint is drawn, and the new foundation is set. The Jets have chosen their path, moving on from a short-lived, veteran-led dream to a long-term project built on youth and defensive grit. But questions loom everywhere, especially on offense. Can Justin Fields become the franchise quarterback the team has sought for decades? Can Aaron Glenn's culture finally break the longest active playoff drought in North American professional sports? The answers won't come in June, but the journey to find them has officially begun.
