This is one in a series of articles that will also appear in the New York Jets 2025 Yearbook, which will be published later this summer.
The core of the Jets' defense last season — CB Sauce Gardner, DL Quinnen Williams, LBs Jamien Sherwood and Quincy Williams, CB Michael Carter II, and edge rushers Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson (returning from injury) — is intact, primed and ready for the 2025 NFL season.
Free agency signings and a slew of promising draft picks are poised to add skill and depth to a unit that will be overseen by defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and under the watchful eye of HC Aaron Glenn — who built a strong unit during his time as the Lions' DC.
"I know the roster, I know the personnel that we have on the defensive side of the ball," Wilks said. "Everything we do starts up front. Stopping the run, getting to the quarterback, creating a new line of scrimmage. And Quinnen is that guy that can do that."
Wilks is also bullish on McDonald, who added weight and increased strength in the offseason after leading the Jets last season with 10.5 sacks. He stepped into his role after Johnson sustained a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2. The Jets have added depth on the inside next to Quinnen Williams with the signings of Jay Tufele, Byron Cowart and Derrick Nnadi.
Backstopping the guys up front are Quincy Williams and Sherwood, who came into his own last season as the playcaller on the unit. Gardner remains the linchpin of the defensive backfield and will have a new running mate on the other side with the signing of Brandon Stephens in free agency. Carter is an underrated slot corner. The Jets also added the speedy and physical Andre Cisco at safety alongside Tony Adams.
"Listen, Steve's going to do a hell of a job," Glenn said of Wilks. "He's been a part of building a number of defenses through his career."
"I really think it's a collaboration of both our schemes and what we're trying to get done," Wilks said. "But most importantly, as Coach AG talks about all the time, it's not really about our playbook. It's about our play style. And that's the thing that we're trying to emphasize and communicate with these guys. You know the physicality, you know the effort, the demand, being smart, not beating ourselves. We're going to make sure that we cater to our players.
"I think that's a great thing as a coach. Who do you have? What can they do? Put them in the best position to be successful."
