Jets: Aaron Glenn Excuses 7 Losses Because 5 Were Playoff-Caliber Teams

The New York Jets made an interesting decision at the trade deadline, choosing not to part with Will McDonald IV and Geno Smith. 

The Minnesota Vikings were ready to deal for a quarterback amid Kyler Murray's injury and the struggles of Carson Wentz. New York opted to keep Smith, giving head coach Aaron Glenn a chance to win games with this team.

During his news conference on Wednesday, Glenn told reporters that he believes the Jets are on the "cusp" of breaking through. He argued that while the Jets had lost a total of seven games, five of those defeats came against playoff-caliber teams, and the losses came in small margins.

Glenn believes the Jets have the right players in the building to win games. He stated that ultimately it was his responsibility to win games.

New York started its season with a 13-point win over the Tennessee Titans. The Jets played in close games against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, but lost those contests by a combined 10 points.

The Chicago Bears absolutely smoked the Jets 23-12 in a game that New York was dominated in time of possession. The Jets did beat the Cleveland Browns, a potential playoff team a week before being beaten by seven points by the New England Patriots.

But the Jets lost 28-25 at home to a Miami Dolphins team that is much closer to competing for the No. 1 pick in 2027 than they are for the final Wild Card spot. The Las Vegas Raiders, which traded away Kirk Cousins as a sign that the playoffs are likely out of reach, beat New York 38-33.

The worst came on Sunday, when the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Jets 35–12. In the second half, it felt like New York folded the tent. That outcome came two days before the trade deadline.

The Jets are a young team, but they have enough talent to win more games than they have this season. There really wasn't an excuse for New York to lose to the Dolphins. It's hard to take Glenn seriously that the team is close to competing after a 23-point loss to the Chiefs.

Maybe the Jets will win more games in the second half of the season. Until then, it will be hard for people to buy the idea that New York is really close to competing with even the middling teams in the league