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After giving up 48 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their latest loss, the New York Jets have fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games left in the 2025 schedule.
The move comes just after Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense had their way with the Jets’ defense, which has been one of the worst teams in points allowed this season (28.4 per game).
Jets first-year head coach Aaron Glenn made the announcement Monday, though he previously said he believed in Wilks’ plan. Glenn, who comes from a defensive background, made the move with defensive backs coach and passing coordinator Chris Harris taking over in Wilks’ absence.
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New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks during the preseason game against the New York Giants on August 16, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
This move also comes a week after the Miami Dolphins put 34 points on the Jets in a lopsided loss.
“I felt it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said, via the New York Post . “I’ve said it all along. I evaluate players. I evaluate coaches. I evaluate myself. I just felt like this was the best decision right now for the team and for this organization.”
Wilks has personally had a tough time in recent seasons. He hasn’t served more than a year with the same team since his stint with the Carolina Panthers from 2012-17. He was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, but sat out a year after a 3-13 record.
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Wilks then went on to become the defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns in 2019, but also lasted only one season there. He was out of football in 2020 before heading to Missouri to serve in the same role. Wilks was with the Panthers again in 2022 before joining the San Francisco 49ers on their way to the Super Bowl as their defensive coordinator.
It was a surprising decision to see the 49ers move on after the one season with Wilks, who did not coach in 2024 before joining the Jets this season. Once again, he will have to look elsewhere if he wants to continue coaching.
All the Jets have left to do this season is evaluate everything. They were eliminated from the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season – the longest drought in professional sports. The loss on Sunday marked a 3-11 season.
New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks looks on during the 2025 NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 7, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Bernstein/Getty Images)
Every player and coach is being evaluated for New York, and the defense has a lot of work to do. It doesn’t help that stars like Quinnen Williams (Dallas Cowboys) and Sauce Gardner (Indianapolis Colts) were traded before the NFL deadline, but the Jets are on pace to allow the second-most points in franchise history.
And in a game where winning the turnover game is key, the Jets have had just two takeaways all season while failing to pick up an interception through 14 games. It is currently tied for the longest streak in the NFL.
The Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions and nearly had their way with the Jets’ unit.
“I just thought from last week to this week the improvement wasn’t there,” Glenn noted. “I thought it was time to make a change.
“I want to see consistent improvement.”
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The Jets will aim to do so in the remaining three games to hopefully give themselves momentum heading into 2026. It starts with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, a 4-10 group that has upset the NFC South division after wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers in their last two contests.
New York will finish its season against the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills, both of whom are gunning for the AFC East title, with the Jets potentially playing spoiler.
