Aaron Glenn might have left Detroit, but he didn’t leave his intensity behind.
Now the head coach of the New York Jets, the former Lions defensive coordinator isn’t easing into his new gig — he’s diving in headfirst. And one of his early focuses? Getting star cornerback Sauce Gardner to level up his game.
Glenn and Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks wasted no time challenging Gardner when they arrived. The message? You’ve been great, but we’re not settling for that.
“I know I’m not perfect,” Gardner said. “But the fact that he’s trying to get perfection out of me is what I need… it’s great to have guys that are going to demand a lot out of me and push me in ways I’ve never been pushed before.”
Gardner entered the league with a bang — winning Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, earning back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors, and looking like the best corner in football. But 2024 saw a slight dip. His missed tackle rate jumped to 23.3%, and his overall PFF grade dropped to 70.2 — down from the elite 87+ marks he posted his first two seasons.
Glenn sees Gardner’s sky-high potential and wants more. One area they’re targeting? Takeaways. Despite his lockdown reputation, Gardner has just three career interceptions. The Jets plan to play more man coverage under Glenn, which should give Gardner more chances to disrupt routes and make plays on the ball.
For Glenn, pushing Gardner isn’t criticism — it’s a belief in his ability to be even better. And for the Jets, getting Gardner back to All-Pro form could be a game-changer.
Ex-Lions Coach Aaron Glenn Already Putting Pressure on Jets’ Star Corner Sauce Gardner
