Dominated Pass Rush by the Jets Leaves Head Coach Aaron Glenn Astonished
Jets' Defensive Line: A Promising yet Fragile Duo
As the New York Jets approach the final preseason game before roster cutdowns, coach Aaron Glenn is focusing on evaluating the team's younger players, including Jermaine Johnson. The defensive end, who returned to team drills for the first time this summer after recovering from an Achilles injury, has been making a strong impression on Glenn.
Johnson's speed and power have caught the coach's eye during team drills, with Glenn believing that the combination of Johnson's power and McDonald's speed could create a formidable rush. However, Johnson's recovery from a torn Achilles injury means that his true capabilities and impact remain uncertain as he returns from this major injury.
Will McDonald, the Jets' top edge rusher, has been dealing with back tightness and a knee injury, but he is still viewed as a key player with high pass-rush potential. Despite this, his run defense still limits his ceiling. The duo of Johnson and McDonald is crucial for the Jets' defensive line, but the overall edge rushing group is thin beyond them, including disappointing depth behind with players like Micheal Clemons.
The Jets' defensive line has been incomplete during training camp due to injuries, with Quinnen Williams missing time due to a calf injury. However, Williams was present during Johnson's return to team drills.
Glenn has expressed positive sentiments about Johnson's performance in team drills and is looking forward to seeing him and McDonald working together off the edge. Despite this, the coach has made it clear that the team may look to the waiver wire or trades to bolster the defensive line, as the current rotation behind these two is underwhelming.
The current status of the Jets' defensive line for the 2025 season includes both Johnson and McDonald active and on the initial 53-man roster, suggesting they are expected contributors. However, the team's pass rush remains somewhat of a question mark heading into the season, with Johnson’s recovery status making it uncertain how effective he will be this season.
The Jets are fortunate to have multiple good running backs with different skill sets, according to Glenn, and he does not intend to trade Breece Hall, one of these good running backs. Despite this, a good amount of starters will not play in the Jets' preseason finale against the Eagles, although the coach did not specify which players will not play.
In summary, the defensive line features a promising but somewhat fragile combination of Johnson and McDonald, with the team needing upgrades in depth to be truly competitive on the edge.
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