Aaron Glenn and the Jets are on a mission to win games — and earn some respect

Aaron Glenn and the Jets are not waiting until next year.

It’s understandable that long-suffering fans are looking forward to 2027, when the Jets will have three first-round picks in a quarterback-deep draft. The more they lose this season, the better the Jets’ chances are of drafting one of the top QBs.

That, however, is the furthest thing from Glenn's mind.

Glenn's everyday thoughts are on what he has to do to be the coach who finally turns around the franchise he spent eight seasons with as a player. This could be a win-or-else year for Glenn. He went 3-14 in his first season and the Jets extended the longest active playoff drought in the four major professional sports to 15 years.

“We're doing everything we can to make sure we change the perception of how people see this organization, how people see the players, how people see the coaches, how people see this team,” Glenn said. “I just want everybody outside of this building to understand that we're working our [butts] off to make sure we do that.

“We know what this is: It's a bottom-line business and it's about winning. We just want to make sure we take those steps . . .  and make sure that we take care of everything in between to make sure it's sustainable.”

Glenn made numerous changes to his coaching staff and the roster. Adding leadership was a priority. He also looked inward for things he could do differently and better after a disastrous rookie year filled with in-game and clock-management mistakes and tense exchanges with the media.

“I think everybody that comes to New York — even though he’s played here before — it’s like you bite off a little more than you could chew,” running back Breece Hall said. “I just think he [now] knows what to expect. He knows what he wants to see out of the organization, out of the players, out of the coaches.”

Glenn hired Frank Reich to run the offense. A proven coordinator and former head coach, Reich mixes up his calls and allows his guys to play free and react to defenses.

Glenn is calling the defense this year. He said it’s his “superpower.” Now he has to prove it.

He also reached into the Jets’ past in hopes of making 2026 a successful year.

Quarterback Geno Smith, a second-round pick in 2013, is a Jet for the second time and the leader of the offense. Linebacker Demario Davis is back for a third time and is the unquestioned leader of the defense, if not the team.

Davis is a strong advocate of Glenn from their time together in New Orleans. He knows exactly what the coach wants and will communicate it to the players.

“I would follow him in battle anytime,” Davis said. “He’s a phenomenal leader. He’s doing a tremendous job as the head coach in setting the culture and the direction for this team.”

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick — a quarterback in the back end — defensive tackle David Onyemata and wide receiver Tim Patrick are proven players who also were brought in to fill the leadership void.

Receiver Garrett Wilson said the younger players are gravitating toward the veterans, trying to soak up their knowledge because they have been on playoff teams.

“They don’t have any past association with the last maybe blunders we’ve had,” Wilson said. “They’re bringing a winning energy, winning mindset.”

Wilson, in his fifth season, is dreaming of playing in meaningful games in the winter. He said “it feels different this year” because of how “aligned” the front office, coaches and players are.

“I have a feeling it’s going to be a special year,” he said. “We got a special opportunity.”

The Jets addressed glaring holes on defense. They drafted edge rusher David Bailey with the second overall pick, and he should make an immediate impact for a team that didn’t have much of a pass rush a year ago. They also signed Onyemata and traded for 366-pound tackle T’Vondre Sweat to seal the middle of a porous run defense.

After becoming the first team in NFL history to go an entire season without an interception, the Jets landed known ballhawk Fitzpatrick, safety Dane Belton and cornerback Nahshon Wright, who had five picks for Chicago last season.

Offensively, Smith is a huge upgrade from the Justin Fields Era — and error — of a year ago. The Jets have more talent across the board.

They’re confident in Adonai Mitchell becoming the No. 2 receiver behind Wilson. Second-year tight end Mason Taylor should be a bigger part of the passing game. They also drafted tight end Kenyon Sadiq and receiver Omar Cooper Jr. in the first round.

Bookend tackles Armand Membou and Olu Fashanu and guard Joe Tippmann are potential cornerstones for an offensive line returning four starters from last year. If they protect Smith and give him time to throw, he will take shots and move the ball downfield. He has to limit his interceptions after an NFL-high 17 last year.

Smith hopes to take care of unfinished business and lead the Jets to the playoffs. “That would be like a story in a movie,” he said. “Somehow, someway we got back here, and I’m eager to make things right if I can.”

Glenn envisions himself playing a starring role in a similar movie, one in which he turns around the Jets. Early last season, he said “big ships turn slow,” referring to the difficult job of getting the Jets back on track. He believes they’re getting closer.

“We’re still turning that ship,” he said. “We’re still turning it, but I like exactly where we are.”