FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Aaron Glenn's storybook homecoming with the New York Jets hasn't produced many wins, but he's encouraged by the support he's receiving from owner Woody Johnson.
Glenn, who has lost three straight games and 17 of 21 since he was hired, said Wednesday that his interactions with Johnson are "very productive."
"[We have] very positive conversations," Glenn said. "We speak after the games all the time and he gives me his thoughts. I give him the rundown on how things go. I mean, that's the beauty of our relationship is being able to have open dialogue with each other, throwing everything on the table. There's also a trust factor there."
Their relationship dates to 2000, when Johnson purchased the Jets and Glenn was a star cornerback. Glenn's return has been bumpy, however. He went 3-14 last season, fired half his coaching staff and now is mired in a three-game losing streak as he prepares to face the upstart Cleveland Browns (3-1) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
"I'm fortunate to be able to have the relationship I do have with the owner of this football team," Glenn said. "He's one of the reasons why everybody -- players, everybody -- wants to do everything to bust their ass in practice to try to accumulate these wins because of how he operates with us."
Johnson, who hasn't spoken to the media in a full year, is on his eighth head coach. He fired Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start in 2024 -- the first in-season coaching change under his ownership. He didn't have a particularly close relationship with Saleh, who was hired while Johnson was serving as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. Johnson lost patience and sacked Saleh with a 20-36 record.
The 79-year-old owner entrusted his franchise to Glenn, who has struggled. Barring a sudden turnaround, the Jets (1-3) will miss the playoffs for the 16th straight season -- the longest active drought among the four major North American professional sports leagues.
Glenn's record is 4-17, the second-worst mark for 21 games in franchise history. Rich Kotite, who coached in 1995 and 1996, started with a 3-18 mark and finished 4-28.
The Jets were competitive in three- and seven-point losses to the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively, but they were dominated by the Chicago Bears in a 23-12 loss Sunday.
"Our urgency, our practice habits, the way we take the field on Sunday has to match the stakes," wide receiver Garrett Wilson said. "I definitely feel like this facility will respond to that. We all feel that. We all know what we're chasing here. So it starts now. It started, and that's the thing. We missed some opportunities, so now it's get-back, make-up time. And that's where we're at right now. We know we've got to be on it."
The loss in Chicago was so lopsided that Glenn conducted a walk-through Wednesday instead of a full practice. The defense was on the field for 89 plays, compared to 32 for the offense -- the largest play differential in a game since 1999.
"The defense had a good amount of plays and, plus, I want this to be a recovery day anyway for everybody, just to make sure we take care of our bodies and get ready to go into this week on a good note," Glenn said.
It looks like the Jets will be without running back Breece Hall (quadriceps) for the second straight game. He's listed as week-to-week, as is wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (finger), who likely will miss his third straight game. Tight end Mason Taylor (thumb) returned to practice and could play Sunday.