The New York Jets have made a significant addition to their coaching staff, bringing in former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
After firing head coach Robert Saleh early in the season, the Jets underwent a major staff overhaul. Special teams coordinator Brant Boyer finished out the year, but once the offseason arrived, the team opted for a complete reset. To aid in their coaching search, they even enlisted help from the 33rd Team.
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was ultimately chosen as the Jets’ next head coach. With Glenn in place, the focus shifted to building a strong staff. While New York is still searching for an offensive coordinator, they have now secured a key defensive leader.
Wilks Takes Over Jets’ Defense
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Wilks and the Jets have agreed to terms, making him the team’s new defensive coordinator.
Fox Sports insider Jordan Schultz reports that Glenn will not be handling defensive play-calling duties. Instead, Wilks will assume full control, allowing him to implement his defensive philosophy.
Wilks, 55, spent the 2023 season leading one of the NFL’s top defenses with the 49ers. Under his guidance, San Francisco ranked fourth in points allowed and played a key role in their Super Bowl run. Despite this success, he was dismissed after the season due to philosophical differences with head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Tensions between Wilks and Shanahan were apparent throughout the season. Midway through the year, following a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Shanahan publicly criticized Wilks and moved him from the booth to the sideline. Their disconnect was further highlighted in the Super Bowl when Shanahan overruled Wilks by calling a timeout on a critical third down—an incident that foreshadowed his eventual firing.
Following his departure, Wilks spent the 2024 season as a volunteer advisor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Now, he returns to the NFL in a role that better suits his strengths.
Strengthening the Jets’ Defensive Identity
Wilks inherits a talented Jets defense featuring stars like Quinnen Williams and Sauce Gardner. While the unit has been the team’s strength in recent years, inconsistency plagued them last season. His experience and steady leadership should help bring much-needed stability.
For Glenn, a first-time head coach, delegating defensive play-calling to Wilks demonstrates trust in his expertise. With this hire, the Jets reaffirm their commitment to building an elite defense as they aim to compete in a highly competitive AFC East.
For Wilks, this opportunity offers a fresh start and a chance to reestablish himself as one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds after his abrupt exit from San Francisco.
