Add The New York Post on Google Jets coach Aaron Glenn did not hesitate this week when asked if his starters would play in Friday night’s preseason opener against the Buccaneers.
“Everybody’s playing,” Glenn said. “Everybody’s playing.”
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That makes the start of the preseason a little more entertaining for anyone interested in the Jets. Everyone will get to see the new-look Jets with Geno Smith at quarterback and some of their additions, such as rookie pass rusher David Bailey and veteran defenders Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Buccaneers are not expected to play many, if any, starters. Quarterback Baker Mayfield definitely will not play, Bucs coach Todd Bowles announced.
The Jets and Buccaneers had two fight-filled joint practices in Florham Park this week. That is unlikely to spill over into the preseason game, where the penalties would actually count.
For Glenn, this is a chance to get his guys on the field. The Jets have many new players and also two new play-callers. Glenn is calling the defense this season and Frank Reich is the team’s new offensive coordinator.
“You have two new systems that are going in and I think it’s important for our guys to play,” Glenn said. “Now, there was science behind this also, as far as having joint practices, and trying to get the guys, at least throughout the preseason, 25-30 reps, and I’m talking about [combined in] all three games.
Head coach Aaron Glenn, talking to the media on Aug. 12, 2026, said on Thursday that the Jets will play their starters in their preseason opener on Friday. Bill Kostroun / New York Post “I don’t know how I’ll divvy that up, it’s a feel when you go into preseason, but what they say is when you have joint practices where the ones get a lot of reps and then you have that many plays, 25-30 in a preseason game, throughout those three games, the risk of injury actually goes down in that first part of the year. Just talking to those guys, I’m a big believer in that, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.”
Glenn said he’s looking for four things in this game at MetLife Stadium.
“I want to see the fundamentals of the game show up,” Glenn said. “And when I say that, I want to see blocking, tackling, catching, ball security, punching the ball, I want to see those things. And then I want to see the techniques behind that also. I want to make sure that we operate in that aspect when it comes to the game. Then I want to see us execute. I want to see those three things and I want to see the discipline of our team, alright.”
Geno Smith, throwing a pass earlier this week, is expected to play some in the Jets’ preseason opener on Friday. Bill Kostroun / New York Post The players were enthusiastic about getting the chance to play, even the veterans. For Smith, this will be his first game in a Jets uniform since 2016.
“Man, just to get out there and just play ball,” Smith said, “feel the real, live game atmosphere, be in the huddle with my guys, have the clock running down, be out there in front of the fans back at MetLife. Just all the things of real football, not two-hand touch or thud, just to feel the game again.”
Running back Breece Hall said he is looking forward to getting tackled, something that is not allowed in practice. The Jets do something called “thud” where a tackler wraps up the ball carrier quickly and then lets go. They are not supposed to knock them to the ground.
“Really, just actually getting tackled,” Hall said. “Even [Tuesday], me and Antoine Winfield had a really good thud and hold and I haven’t really been hit too much like that. It was good to get that feel. Just to get a few carries in, whether it’s five plays, six plays and get tackled to the ground and maybe get a blitz pressure and have to pick up a guy blitzing that’s trying to run through me and get a sack. I think it’s definitely good to get a little feel of it, a little taste of it.”
This game is not just a dress rehearsal for the players. Glenn is adjusting to being a play-calling head coach. This will be a test for him in managing the game while also calling the defense.
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“This was thought out quite a bit, to be honest with you, so now how do I surround myself with people that are going to help me in that aspect also,” Glenn said. “Because listen, if you’re calling it, you can’t do everything, and I want to make sure I’m spot on with what I’m calling. I want to make sure I’m putting our players in the best position, and then make sure that I have the help around me when it comes to game management when I’m on the defensive side and I’m calling it.”
