Jets must end Aaron Glenn era after rock-bottom loss to previously winless Dolphins

The New York Jets have officially run out of excuses. Losing to a struggling divisional rival is frustrating enough. However, allowing the previously winless Miami Dolphins to leave MetLife Stadium with a 28-25 victory is nothing less than a damaging indictment of Aaron Glenn 's leadership. New York entered Week 7 with a chance to stabilize its season and build on a narrow victory over Cleveland. Instead, the Jets struggled to contain Miami's ground game and ultimately failed to complete a late comeback. At 2-5, New York's central question is becoming impossible to avoid: Is Glenn still the right person to lead this franchise?

New York's 2026 campaign has been defined by missed opportunities and inconsistent execution. The Jets opened with a victory over Tennessee before dropping three straight games against Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago. A 17-12 win over Cleveland briefly offered relief. However, a 26-19 defeat to New England sent them into their Week 7 matchup at 2-4. Sunday's loss to Miami pushed them to 2-5, despite a spirited offensive response in the second half. Geno Smith completed 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns. Omar Cooper Jr. delivered 115 receiving yards. The Jets still fell short after allowing Miami to build a 21-7 halftime lead and produce 156 rushing yards. The Dolphins entered the game 0-5 and left with their first victory of the season.

New York's defense failed to impose its will against an offense that had struggled badly through the opening weeks. Miami quarterback Malik Willis completed 14 of 21 passes for 208 yards and two touchdowns. He repeatedly found ways to extend possessions. Running back Ollie Gordon II rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. Miami converted all three of its fourth-down attempts, including a decisive quarterback sneak late in the fourth quarter that allowed it to drain the clock.

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Those numbers tell a troubling story. New York could not consistently close running lanes or force Miami into the kind of mistakes that might have changed the game. The defense also failed to prevent a devastating 63-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Douglas late in the fourth quarter. That play restored Miami's two-score cushion just when the Jets were threatening to take control.

The late breakdowns were especially damaging because New York's offense had done enough to make the game competitive. A head coach must find a way to get his team prepared for precisely these situations. Glenn's defense repeatedly failed that test.

New York's roster has legitimate building blocks. Garrett Wilson remains a proven receiving threat . Breece Hall and Braelon Allen are dynamic running backs. The young receiving group has shown encouraging potential. Cooper's performance against Miami was another positive sign. Tight end Mason Taylor caught two touchdown passes.

Yet individual production has not translated into consistent winning football. The Jets have lost five of their first seven games. Their latest defeat came against a division opponent that had not won all season. This kind of result forces an organization to question whether its coaching staff is extracting enough from its personnel.

Glenn also faces questions about game management. Miami's 14-point halftime lead came after the Jets struggled to respond to the Dolphins' long possessions. New York had opportunities to limit the damage, but its defensive execution and late-half management left the team chasing the game.

Retaining Glenn simply because changing coaches is uncomfortable would be a questionable move forward. The franchise cannot afford to lose another season waiting for progress that has yet to materialize. The next few games should not become an indefinite extension of the same experiment.

New York should evaluate the coaching staff's performance honestly. They should start with its repeated struggles in high-leverage situations. If ownership believes Glenn cannot deliver meaningful improvement , making a change now would allow the organization to begin identifying the leadership it needs for 2027.

The Jets showed fight by scoring 18 points after halftime and pulling within three. Still, the comeback could not erase the failures that put them in that position. Miami converted a crucial fourth down, preserved possession, and secured its first win of the season.

Glenn deserves a fair assessment, but his record demands serious scrutiny. New York needs accountability, sharper preparation, and a coaching structure capable of turning its talent into victories.

At 2-5, the Jets still have a ton of games left to play. That said, the organization cannot keep pretending that patience alone will solve its problems. If Glenn cannot demonstrate that he can correct the defensive breakdowns and improve the team's situational execution, New York should end the experiment. The loss to Miami may be remembered as the moment the Jets finally recognized that another change was necessary.