With how bad the New York Jets’ defense was last season, linebacker could be another area the team looks to improve this offseason, especially as they reshape the defense under head coach Aaron Glenn.
Glenn and the Jets had one of the worst defensive units in the NFL, and have multiple free agents on that side of the football that they could lose.
Connor Hughes of SNY named veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone as a name to watch, pointing to Glenn’s familiarity with the longtime Detroit Lions LB.
“One of the more surprising developments from Glenn’s first season with the Jets was what he did not do: bring former players with him. He hired familiar coaches, but no ex-Lions were added to help reinforce his standard in the locker room. That is uncommon for a first-year head coach,” Hughes wrote.
That dynamic could change as Glenn looks to further establish his culture heading into Year 2. Anzalone, one of the top defenders on Glenn’s defense a few years ago, would bring Glenn a familiarity that hehasn’t had with other players.
“Anzalone, who turns 32 in September, spent the past five seasons in Detroit, including four under Glenn as defensive coordinator. With Quincy Williams not expected to return and Jamien Sherwood coming off a disappointing 2025 season, Anzalone would address a need both on the field and in the locker room,” Hughes added.
From a roster-building standpoint, the fit makes too much sense. Anzalone’s experience in Glenn’s system could help fix this defense, but it’s fair to question whether he’d want to play for the Jets.
