Andre Cisco Joins Jets with Leadership Aspirations
Andre Cisco, like many New Yorkers, tends to be straightforward in his approach.
The Jets’ head coach, Aaron Glenn, believes Cisco possesses strong leadership traits, evident from his time as a free agent. Last season, Cisco made headlines by calling out a teammate during a rough stretch that left their team with a 1-5 record.
“You can see how he works alongside his teammates. He’s genuinely a team player,” Glenn remarked. “And I think he’ll only improve as we keep guiding him and he learns more about our team dynamics.”
Cisco recently signed a one-year deal worth $8.5 million with his hometown team, having grown up on Long Island. While it’s not the lengthy contract many might expect for someone of his caliber, the 25-year-old safety felt it was fitting for where he is in his career.
“The chance to come home and join a team like this, especially under Aaron Glenn’s standout defense, is something special,” Cisco stated. “The Jets’ defense has been impressive in recent years, which made the decision easier.”
After racking up eight interceptions and three forced fumbles during his time in Jacksonville, Cisco described his transition as “seamless.”
Glenn has noted Cisco’s past performances at Syracuse as a valuable asset.
“For me, it’s about action rather than just words,” Cisco shared. “In football, enthusiasm tends to wane after that first big day. I try to bring my best every single day.”
He acknowledged that his style of addressing issues is usually more personal. “I prefer one-on-one conversations, but I can get emotional. That’s just how it is sometimes.”
Glenn’s intensity doesn’t seem to faze him, though.
In other news, the edge rusher McDonald has gained 15 pounds, which Glenn believes will enhance his ability to set the edge better. With his height of 6-foot-4, he should now weigh around 250 pounds.
Although his strength limited his playing time as a rookie in 2022, he made a strong comeback, achieving 10.5 sacks last season with his impressive speed.
“We don’t want to take away from his natural talents. That’s his strength,” Glenn commented. “But he realizes he needs to bulk up to maximize his potential.”
The Jets experienced a flawless first OTA practice, with Glenn noting there were no significant absences for the second day in a row.
“These players are eager to win,” he said. “They’re dedicated to the grind.”
Josh Myers, who has spent the last four seasons starting for the Packers, has caught the attention of his new teammate, John Simpson.
“He’s the kind of player that can create opportunities for himself and understands the game,” Simpson noted. “Both he and Joe Tippman are really competing hard right now.”
