Is the Jets Run Defense a Scheme or Personnel Problem?

Aaron Glenn built his reputation as a defensive coach, and this is now unquestionably his defense. He is calling the plays, shaping the weekly game plan, and deciding how the Jets use their rebuilt front. That makes the team’s continued trouble stopping the run one of the most surprising developments of the season.

Fans evaluating the Jets each week, whether breaking down defensive matchups or visiting entertainment platforms such as Sweepsy, have seen a defense capable of generating pressure and creating big plays. What they have not seen is a unit that consistently controls the line of scrimmage.

Through six games, the Jets have allowed 738 rushing yards on 176 attempts. That works out to 123 yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. They rank 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game and 19th in yards allowed per attempt.

Those numbers are not among the worst in football, but they are nowhere near what was expected from a defense constructed to be bigger and more physical up front.

The Patriots Exposed the Problem

The Jets allowed 148 rushing yards in their 26-19 loss to the Patriots. That performance was particularly disappointing because New England lost multiple offensive linemen during the game and still found enough success on the ground to close it out.

The most frustrating sequence came after Jason Sanders cut the Patriots lead to 23-16 with 7:20 remaining. The Jets needed one stop to give Geno Smith and the offense an opportunity to tie the game.

Instead, New England put together a 13-play, 48-yard drive that consumed 6:43 before ending with a field goal. The Patriots leaned on their running game, attacked the interior and kept the clock moving. Even when the Jets stopped an individual run, they could not produce the complete series needed to get off the field.

New England did not need a long touchdown run. The Patriots simply stayed on schedule and controlled possession when everyone knew they wanted to drain the clock. For a defense that wants to establish a physical identity, that is a major problem.

This Is Aaron Glenn’s Defense

Glenn described the Jets defense during the offseason as multiple, meaning they would use different fronts and alignments instead of operating exclusively from a traditional 4-3 or 3-4 look.

That flexibility can create favorable matchups, disguise pressure and make it difficult for quarterbacks to identify where rushers are coming from. It can also create problems against the run when players are not completely connected with their assignments.

In a multiple defense, the front can change from one play to the next. A defensive tackle may be asked to attack a gap on one snap and control multiple gaps on another. Linebackers must recognize the front, fit the correct opening and react without hesitation. Edge defenders must apply pressure without abandoning their responsibility to contain the run.

When one player is late or attacks the wrong shoulder, a crease can open even if the defensive line initially wins at the point of attack. The Jets have allowed 42 rushing first downs, with 23.9 percent of opposing rushing attempts moving the chains. That suggests the problem extends beyond one defensive tackle losing an individual matchup.

Karl Dunbar Has the Experience to Fix the Front

Karl Dunbar is responsible for coaching the defensive line, and few position coaches have a stronger resume. He is in his 20th NFL season and previously coached the Jets defensive line from 2012 through 2014. During that first stint, Dunbar helped develop Damon Harrison from an undrafted free agent into one of the league’s best run defenders. Sheldon Richardson won Defensive Rookie of the Year, while Muhammad Wilkerson earned second-team All-Pro honors.

Dunbar later spent eight seasons with Pittsburgh. During that period, the Steelers led the NFL with 392 sacks. Cam Heyward earned four first-team All-Pro selections, while T.J. Watt became Defensive Player of the Year and one of the league’s most dominant pass rushers.

His history against the run is equally impressive. The Minnesota Vikings led the NFL in rushing defense for three consecutive seasons while Dunbar coached their defensive line. At Alabama, his 2016 front led the nation by allowing only 63.9 rushing yards per game.

Dunbar clearly knows how to coach a defensive front. That makes the current results even harder to explain.

Is It a Personnel Problem?

On paper, the Jets should have enough size inside. T’Vondre Sweat is listed at 366 pounds and was brought in to occupy blockers and close interior running lanes. Harrison Phillips has built his career as a dependable run defender. The rotation also includes Jowon Briggs and Darrell Jackson Jr.

The Jets entered the season believing the combination of Sweat and Phillips would make them more difficult to move inside. Through six games, that has not consistently happened.

The issue may be less about overall talent and more about how the pieces fit together. Sweat has the size to control the middle, but the Jets are still working through a new defensive structure and a rebuilt rotation. Their edge group also features athletic pass rushers who must remain disciplined when opponents run directly at them.

The departure of Quinnen Williams also changed the identity of the defensive line. The Jets replaced his explosiveness with more size, but bigger does not automatically mean better. Interior defenders still need to play with leverage, defeat combination blocks, and keep linebackers clean.

The Answer Is Probably a Combination

It would be too simple to blame only the scheme or only the players. The Jets have experienced defensive linemen, but they are not consistently winning their assignments. They also have a multiple system that can create confusion when the front and linebackers are not working together.

Glenn controls the structure and calls the defense. Dunbar is responsible for developing the defensive line and improving its technique. The players must execute their assignments, maintain gap discipline and finish tackles.

All three levels share responsibility.

The encouraging part is that the defense has not been completely overwhelmed. The Jets have allowed only four rushing touchdowns and three runs of at least 20 yards. The structure is not broken beyond repair. The problem is that opponents are finding enough steady production to extend drives and control the clock.

Aaron Glenn Must Find the Answer

The Jets hired Glenn to establish a defensive identity. A team led by a defensive head coach cannot rank in the bottom third of the league against the run and expect to consistently close out games.

Whether the solution involves simplifying the fronts, changing the defensive tackle rotation, using heavier personnel, or improving linebacker fits, the responsibility ultimately belongs to Glenn. Dunbar’s experience should help him fix the defensive line, but Glenn must make sure the scheme puts that group in position to succeed.

The final drive against New England showed why this matters. When the Jets desperately needed the football back, the Patriots controlled the line, controlled the clock and effectively ended the game.

If this defense is going to reflect Glenn’s vision, stopping the run must become its foundation. Right now, the Jets have the coaching experience and enough personnel to be better. The question is how quickly Glenn and Dunbar can turn those pieces into a dependable defensive front.

The post Is the Jets Run Defense a Scheme or Personnel Problem? appeared first on JetNation.com – New York Jets Blog & Forum. Be sure to check out the JetNation forums for around-the-clock Jets talk. https://forums.JetNation.com You can discuss this with other NY Jets fans on the Jet Nation message board. Or visit of on Facebook.

Source: https://www.jetnation.com/2026/10/21/is-the-jets-run-defense-a-scheme-or-personnel-problem/