Jets Head Coach Faces Criticism Over Timeout Decision

Once again, the New York Jets find themselves under scrutiny due to a questionable coaching decision from head coach Aaron Glenn. With the team down 14-7 late in the first half and the Dolphins advancing on their goal, Glenn chose not to call any timeouts, which left many scratching their heads.

As the Dolphins eventually scored to extend their lead to 21-7 with just six seconds left in the half, the Jets walked into halftime without using any of their three available timeouts.

In a game where every possession counts, this decision was seen as a significant misstep. Following the game, when pressed about the timeout situation, Glenn’s response was notably vague.

“Yeah, I think that’s when [Miami] was all the way down in the red zone,’’ he mentioned, though the Dolphins were actually at the Jets’ 32-yard line during the two-minute warning and continued their drive without a timeout being called by the Jets.

“We felt like we were going to stop them,” Glenn added. “Maybe we should have called our timeouts to get it back. But at that point, we just felt like we were going to stop them and be able to get the ball back.” He acknowledged that using the timeouts would have been the right call.

With a record of 4-9 in one-score games, Glenn’s coaching is now the subject of scrutiny, especially when you consider that over half of NFL games since 1999 have been decided by a touchdown or less.

On the field, quarterback Geno Smith delivered an impressive performance, completing 23 of 30 passes for 287 yards, with three touchdowns and one interception. However, two costly plays marred his otherwise solid stats. The first was an interception thrown directly to Dolphins safety Michael Taaffe inside the Miami 20-yard line during the Jets’ second drive, which potentially cost the Jets points.

For Smith, who had gone the first five games of the season without an interception, this marked his second in as many games, which is concerning. Later, trailing 21-14, Smith took a 12-yard sack on third-and-goal from the Miami 3-yard line, forcing the Jets to settle for a field goal.

Speaking of field goals, kicker Jason Sanders had a rough outing as well. After the Jets reached the Miami 22-yard line on their initial possession of the second half while trailing 21-7, the drive stalled, and Sanders missed a crucial 40-yard field goal attempt that struck the upright. Those missed opportunities can be pivotal in a game decided by just three points.

The Jets also had some roster changes, with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell returning after missing the last four games due to injury but failing to record a catch. Meanwhile, running back Breece Hall, who had been dealing with a thigh injury, practiced last week but did not play, along with guard Dylan Parham, who is still recovering from a knee issue. Other players inactive included cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., tackle Max Mitchell, edge rusher Joseph Ossai, kick returner Kene Nwangwu, and defensive lineman Jack Heflin, with Brownlee’s absence being somewhat surprising given his recent playing time.

Lastly, it was a poignant day for the Jets as they marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of former center and Ring of Honor inductee Nick Mangold, who died from complications related to kidney failure at the age of 41 on October 25 last year.