HC Aaron Glenn announced Monday morning that Steve Wilks has been relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator and defensive backs/pass game coordinator Chris Harris will take over as the team's defensive play-caller.
"I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time," Glenn said. "I've said this all along -- that I'm evaluating players, I'm evaluating coaches, I'm evaluating myself. And I just felt like this was the best decision for right now for the team and for this organization."
Harris, who is currently in his 12th season of coaching in the NFL, joined the Jets staff this season after serving as the defensive pass game coordinator/cornerbacks for two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
Harris has had coaching stints with the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Commanders. A sixth-round draft pick of the Bears in 2005, Harris spent 8 seasons as a player in the league and appeared in Super Bowl XLI with Chicago.
"Chris will be calling the defense," Glenn said. "He's done it before in the preseason. I will be assisting him as the week goes by on game planning. But I've said this before, that this is a league of change. And with change comes opportunity. And this will be a good opportunity for him to get a chance to call it."
Glenn cited a lack of improvement and recent struggles for the staff transition. After the Jets surrendered 34 points to Miami in Week 14, the Jaguars scored 48 points on Sunday and recorded 438 total net yards of offense.
The Jets are currently allowing an average of 28.4 points per game, the third most in the league, and the unit has not recorded an interception yet this season.
"It's my job to make sure I continue to evaluate everything that's going on," Glenn said. "I just thought this was the time for me to make that decision."
Over the final 3 games, Glenn said he will continue his evaluations.
"I want to see consistent improvement," he said of his goals for the defense. "I want to see structure that's consistent. I want to see play that's consistent. And I want to see the character -- the culture of this football team -- come together."
