Aaron Glenn - Head Coach, jets Event: Press Conference | Date: 2026-09-11 | Full transcript (primary source).
On September 11, 2026, Aaron Glenn addressed the media in a press conference for the Jets, reflecting on the significance of the date and its impact on the team and the nation. He also provided updates on player injuries ahead of their upcoming game.
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Transcript
Glenn: Good morning. Before I update you on these injuries, it's been on my mind just to talk about 9-11 and the events that happened when I was here and my feelings and thoughts on what happened when I was here. It's still a tough situation to think about, but again I've said this before, it makes you proud as Americans on how we pulled together as a country and we overcame and it was just such a beautiful thing to see that and really the men and women that risked their lives to serve and to me that's the number one thing that continues to go through my head.
Glenn: So again I just want to make sure I say that when it comes to the injuries, two guys that will be out, that'll be Joe DePasci and Tim Patrick. Joe DePasci is getting better and better again as he was week to week. I'm looking for him to see how he's going to operate in practice next week and hopefully he'll be able to do that. Tim Patrick has it growing. Two other guys that are doubtful, Kanae. Kanae had it back yesterday. We'll see how he's going to operate today in practice and also pawns. Alright pawns, I love where he's at when it comes to his physical, but man just the part of him not getting as much reps as he can, you know, he'll be docked when it comes to that. And then everybody else that we talked about they're ready to go, so look forward to seeing those guys go out there and play.
Glenn: When it comes to this game this week, no different feeling than how I felt at the beginning of the week, along with the players also, and we're excited to play a game. Alright, that's where our focus is, is going there to Tennessee and winning a game and we can't wait to do that. So I'm excited, coaches are excited.
Glenn: No, no, we didn't go. We didn't go. We were planning. I actually saw some of the players before they went actually had a chance to meet with double D and Minka to give those guys my feelings on how it was when I was here. So we talked about that for a little bit, but those guys had an opportunity to go down there and I thought I was special to be able to do that. Actually, I thought I saw Vinny, some of the older Jets with those guys, so I thought that was special.
Glenn: He was at practice yesterday. His back just tightened up, you know, so we'll see exactly where he's at going today.
Glenn: Yeah, yeah, well, I will tell you this. Each week or each day he's getting better and better and better. He actually had had a really an outstanding playing out two-minute drill the other day when he caught a long pass at the defensive coach. I didn't like it, but you know, at the head coach, I loved it. But man, listen, everything that we saw when it came to how he operates at Indiana, man, you see those things operating practice. He's tough. He has a make you miss ability. He can make the tough catches. You know he wants to go in and dig people out when it comes to blocking. So I'm excited where he's at and the thing about this that's even more exciting, he's going to get better and better and better as these weeks progress.
Glenn: Yeah, well, I would say this because he's such an intelligent person that the catch-up really wasn't anything that was going to be an issue for him. It's just more of the conditioning and making sure that he gets the reps he needs to get his in pads. I always tell the players it's totally different from running in shorts than having pads on and moving around and getting hit and things like that. But he's ready to go. He's looked really good in practice. I expect him to go out there and play well.
Glenn: Now that you're obviously not calling the plays, how much do you enjoy the chess match of trying to outsmart that guy on the other side and calling the plays for the offense? To me, I think that's probably one of the funnest parts of being a play caller, but more than anything, it's such a group effort with all the coaches that's in there because everyone has a responsibility. You want everyone to think that they're the head coach of that responsibility, and they give you their insight on how they think this certain situation would be. And as the play caller, you take all that information in and start to design how you want the game to go or how you want to call it. And then a lot of times, it's just putting guys in good positions and letting those guys go out there and play. I think sometimes people take it more than what it is, but when you have good players, you get them and put them in positions, those guys who go out there and they'll do it for you.
Glenn: Can you speak about the summer that Brownlee had? And also, he's a guy who plays with a lot of emotion. Is it something that you have to talk to him about going in to play as former team? Well, you just say he plays with emotion, so I don't have to talk to him about that. But as far as controlling his emotions, listen, he has grown and matured so much from last year going to this year. And it's more than just controlling his emotions, it's how he operates in the meeting room and how he's become more of a leader within that defensive backroom on the standards on how we want to operate. So, yes, he's a very emotional person, but I think he understands how to control those emotions to make sure it doesn't get the best of him.
Glenn: Aaron, how difficult of an early challenge is this type of defensive run, especially for an O-line that brings back so much continuity in your part as well? Yeah, I mean, it's the play style and the way they go, the way they operate. I've said this before, it is more of a one-gap, penetrating, get-up feel, be disruptive. Man, we're getting to your quarterback and we're stopping the run as we get to the quarterback. So, it can definitely cause some issues. But the thing is, I think our guys are ready for it. I mean, we've practiced it all week. They understand what's coming. And listen, we have some good players up there, you know, on our line. And I expect those guys to play well.
Glenn: Well, McSimmons in particular are so effective and so good. He's, first off, as a defensive lineman, it all starts his mentality and his play style. I mean, everything about him is disruptive. Everything about him is very violent. And then you look at the physical stature of the man. And he's about 6'4", you know, 3'10", 3'15". Strong, lower body. He's immovable when it comes to double teams. He understands how to play with extension and disengage and go make plays. And plus, he's a quality pass rusher when you put him at any spot at the D-line. So, he's a damn good player and we have to be aware of him.
Glenn: How valuable will your defensive line down to be? Not just every week, but this week specifically when you're talking about opening up the season on the road, 90 degrees on that turf. Well, I would like to think it doesn't matter what week it is. It doesn't matter what the weather is. Those guys are always going to be valuable. I'm a firm believer this game starts in the trenches with those guys and they understand that. That's on both sides of the ball. Everybody has to play in 90 degree weather. Everybody's going to be hot, so we really don't care. I mean, it's part of the game. So, we're looking forward to playing.
Glenn: I have something to prove to myself for the most part is I understand what it takes to be a head coach. I like being in this position as a head coach and to make sure that we can take this team. When I say we and I emphasize we because it's not just me that we can take this team exactly where it needs to go. So, when I talk about something to prove, I want to prove it to myself more than anything.
Glenn: Aaron, so much has been made about the interception drought going back to last season. How much relief do you think there would be for you, for the guys who were here last year, to get one Sunday? I think it would be a relief to hear you guys stop talking about it. First and foremost, but listen, I really don't talk to all guys about it too much. The thing that we talk about more is just making sure that we go after the ball, making sure that we punch the ball out, making sure that we emphasize that takeaways are a huge part of when it comes to winning and losing in this league. I try to keep it on that aspect more than the negative part of it because it's such a negative connotation to our guys and I understand it. You need to have turnovers to win this league, but I try to look at it from a perspective of, listen, this is how we have to do it. This is how we're going to do it. This is how we have to continue to do it and make it sustainable for us to win games. I kind of shifted to that way more than anything else, but you guys keep talking about it so it's kind of hard.
Glenn: A.G. with Kade is now a play away from playing regular season. What's your belief on him? Obviously, you guys probably missed number two. What's the belief on what he has to play on some of this? Well, you just answered it. He wouldn't be our number two if we didn't have a true belief in who he was as a person, as a player, as a quarterback, as someone that can lead this team. That's a very valued position. I mean, you look across the league, it just happened, the first game of the season. We thought about it quite a bit and I like the decision that we made. When I say we, I'm talking about from Frank to myself, to Musgrave, all the guys that deal with the quarterback would mooch to make sure we're making the right decision for this team.
Glenn: Last one? Last one? Alright, two. What is a big thing? That's a clever way to get you another one.
Glenn: The kickers, is that still ongoing through or have you made it? Well, Jason will kick this week. He's had most of the reps. The thing is, groupie, I want to make sure that he gets a solid chance. He just got here last week. He hasn't had a lot of chances to really get a lot of work with Henny and Mack. So I want to make sure that I give him the proper chance for the competition. So I want to let this thing play out. But Jason will be kicking this week.
Glenn: And for you, on a Saturday night, after you talked to the team and all that, when you go to bed, what's the game the next day? How do you kind of unwind? Are you thinking about the game? I'll be totally honest. And this is how I've been my whole career, even as a player. I mean, I sleep like a baby. I really do. I really do. And I know there are some people that, I said, man, I can't sleep. But I feel like I put so much time in during the week that, man, that's a time for me to really rest my mind. And I feel I feel good about the prep. That I can I can confidently, you know, go home that night and go to bed and wake up fresh and be ready to go. So call the game, as you can say. So yeah, I mean, I go to sleep.
Glenn: So well, that's a different story. You should have asked.
