Fresh off a career year and three-year contract extension, LB Jamien Sherwood's focus remains on finding ways to improve -- and leading his unit to new levels of success.
"Obviously to be better than we were last year," Sherwood said of his expectations for the upcoming season. "That's always everybody's biggest thing and biggest point of improvement. Just improving on the things we didn't do well last year."
The first player to be extended under a new regime led by HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey, Sherwood established himself as an integral part of the Jets' long-term vision last season. He seamlessly stepped into the middle linebacker position and reaped the benefits, leading the NFL with 98 solo tackles and recording career highs in total tackles (158), TFL (10), PDs (3) and sacks (2).
While the fifth-year player now looks to make another jump as the established starter this year, he is not only looking to elevate his play -- he also aims to embrace an even larger leadership role. A newly appointed team captain for the 2025 season, Sherwood has welcomed the opportunity to be a centerpiece of the defensive operation -- evidenced by the way he approached play calling duties during a player-led practice held after the Jets' second preseason game.
"I just try and take it as if [DC Steve] Wilks was calling it," Sherwood said. "I'm watching practices from this past training camp and OTAs, seeing what he's thinking in those periods, again building confidence in myself so when we do go out there and perform, I already know what he's thinking. I just feel like those player-led practices are just where we can come together as a team. Obviously, the only thing the coaches can do on game day is call plays. It's about the players playing. So, if we can get a feel for what he thinks, we can go out there and play just that much faster."
Though the importance of developing chemistry with Wilks and other members of the coaching staff cannot be overstated, Sherwood believes building trust among players will be even more important. CB Michael Carter II said "the great teams are those player-led teams," and for Sherwood -- who was recently deemed "the glue" of the defense by Wilks -- the responsibility to command the unit is not one to be taken lightly.
"We're the ones who step in between those white lines," Sherwood said. "At the end of the day, no call is going to bail us out. It's about those 11 cleats in the ground getting set and just playing ball. Now, within those schemes and within those calls, us as a defense, we try our best to disguise and marry up stuff to other things. That's what's going to come in handy."
It's no secret that Glenn has preached the importance of limiting penalties and finishing games strong during his first summer as a head coach. The Jets had plenty of room to improve in those areas over last season. And though the messaging from the coaching staff has been heard loud and clear, Sherwood knows it will ultimately be up to him and his teammates to make sure it translates on the field.
"Our job is to get better than we were from last year," he said. "I'll say there were things we did well and there were things that we didn't do well. Now, it's about this year putting it all together so we go out there and be our best."
