Aaron Glenn’s brutal decision in quest to rid Jets of mediocrity marks much-needed new era for Gang Green

These Jets fly different. Or do they?

New York Jets’ first-year head coach Aaron Glenn is not messing around.

Look no further than the Jets’ transaction wire on Wednesday. The team cut Xavier Gipson. Why?

Gipson was responsible for the costly kick return fumble during Sunday’s 34-32 opening loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game completely turned on Gipson’s fumble in the fourth quarter.

After trimming the Jets’ lead to 26-24 in the fourth, Kenneth Gainwell forced Gipson to fumble the kickoff.

Two plays later, Aaron Rodgers capitalized with an 18-yard touchdown strike to Calvin Austin III, giving the Steelers a 31-26 lead with 14:07 remaining.

Justin Fields would answer with another score of his own, but Glenn’s head coaching debut was ultimately spoiled by Chris Boswell’s 60-yard field goal that gave Pittsburgh the win.

A win made even sweeter for Rodgers, who made his return to MetLife after the Jets let him go in the offseason.

He said as much after the game that he was, “Happy to beat everyone associated with the Jets.”

The Pittsburgh victory and change in momentum could all be traced back to Gipson’s fumble. A mistake that Glenn was openly not happy about.

“The one thing to me that turned this game is, man, we can’t have turnovers,” Glenn told the media in his postgame press conference.

Getty

Getty

“We can’t do it. We have to be a more disciplined team. There were some penalties that happened in that game that were true discipline issues and, again, that’s something that will be addressed because you will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games, if you’re going to cause issues like that.”

Three days later, Gipson is no longer a Jet. Consider it addressed.

However, Glenn spoke to the media on Wednesday and wanted it be known that the decisions they make going forward are never whimsical, and are not based on just one play.

“Decisions that are made are not rash decisions,” Glenn said. “They’re never based off of one incident. I will keep it at that.”

While the win-loss column says 0-1, these Jets already feel a little different.

Glenn said: “You will not be on the field with this team if you’re going to cause us to lose games.”

He talked the talk, and walked the walk, with general manager Darren Mougey and the front office clearly supporting him.

New York Jets

Opening six games

Week 1 – vs. Pittsburgh Steelers L 34-32

Week 2 – vs. Buffalo Bills

Week 3 – @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 4 – @ Miami Dolphins (MNF)

Week 5 – vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 6 – Denver Broncos (Tottenham, London)

This is exactly what the Jets need from their head coach: a no-nonsense, tough leader who won’t waver on his principles.

Glenn made it clear leading up to the season that he wouldn’t tolerate mediocrity, sloppiness, dysfunction, or distractions.

It was part of the reason they chose to move on from Rodgers and bring in Fields.

Gipson has become the first clear-cut example of how Glenn’s regime will operate moving forward. Just two seasons ago, he was the hero on Monday Night Football in the Jets’ season opener, returning a punt for the win in overtime after Rodgers went down four snaps into his tenure.

Now Gipson is out of a job.

These aren’t the same old Jets. There will of course need to be wins on the field to show proof of concept that Glenn’s style can work.

But just a week into the season, and it’s clear that the circus of year’s past has left town. It’s no longer a free for all on 1 Jets Drive.

NFL's Greatest......

Ranking the top 10......

Quarterbacks of all-time – Can anyone better Tom Brady?

Wide receivers of all-time – Does Randy Moss or Jerry Rice come out on top?

Running backs of all-time – Stacking Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and more

Tight ends of all-time – How does Travis Kelce compare?

Many have come in and tried to implement the no-B.S. attitude that Glenn is laying his foundation on.

The litter of previous head coaches who have come in such as Robert Saleh, Adam Gase, Todd Bowles and Rex Ryan were all good coaches.

Outside of Ryan, they all failed—and even his tenure ended on a sour note. Granted, the outspoken coach did lead the Jets to consecutive AFC title games in 2009 and 2010.

That was the last time the Jets made the playoffs and won a postseason game. 15 years ago when Ryan was calling the shots and Mark Sanchez was under center.

It’s now up to Glenn to break the mold and lift the Jets’ reputation out of the gutter, so they’re no longer viewed as the league’s punching bag.

While the win column hasn’t reflected it just yet, I believe Glenn’s approach will lift Gang Green back on its feet.

The man means business and isn’t messing around. Just ask Gipson.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.