Jets starters will play vs. Packers in preseason opener, Aaron Glenn says

Antwan Staley, New York Daily News on Aug 7, 2025

Published in Football

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NEW YORK — In an era when starters haven’t regularly played in preseason games, Jets coach Aaron Glenn is taking a different approach.

The Jets will play their preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday at Lambeau Field, and Glenn said the team’s starters will be on the field.

“We’re playing, we’re playing, Glenn said. “I can’t tell you how much the guys are going to play. That’s affected by how the game goes, but we’re playing.”

Why did Glenn decide to play the Jets’ starters?

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“Because I want to play,” he said. “That’s the reason. I want our guys to play. That’s the reason.”

When the NFL shifted from four preseason games to three in 2021, many coaches elected to rest their starters instead of playing them during the exhibition season. One of the reasons is that teams have mainly relied on joint practices to get players tuned up and ready for the upcoming season.

Considering their offensive struggles in training camp and the fact that players are learning a new system, it makes sense that Glenn wants to see his starters in action, even if it is just for a series or two. The Jets also have two new playcallers in offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and a new starting quarterback in Justin Fields, who has had an uneven camp.

Fields finished Thursday’s practice completing 8 of 15 passes, including a touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson. But that also included an interception that bounced off of tight end Jeremy Ruckert‘s hands.

“Every time we go on the grass, the first thing is I expect to win,” Glenn said. “I do, but I expect to win in ways we really talk about what we are trying to create during camp.

“I don’t ever want to go out in a game, and everything we talk about trying to build in terms of trying to get this team to operate, I want to make sure that’s showing up on the tape, if that makes sense? And that’s important to me.

“Look, I want the score to be in our favor. I do. But more or less anything, I want the things that we are trying to create to show up every play that we are out there, and that’s what I’m looking for.”

Playing starters in preseason games is a new philosophy with the Jets. Last season, former coach Robert Saleh elected not to play many of the starters during any of the exhibition season.

Glenn is attempting to change the culture of the Jets by having live tackling during practices. But he isn’t afraid of his players possibly getting injured.

“It didn’t surprise me,” Sauce Gardner said about Glenn’s decision to play the starters in the preseason. “I love football. I’m obsessed with football, so any chance I got to play, I always love the idea of it.”

“We’ve been tackling in practice, so I was pretty sure that he was going to want us to be able to tackle another team. I’m embracing that and looking forward to it. I definitely wasn’t surprised. None of us were surprised when he said that.”

The Packers could have quarterback Jordan Love and their starters on the field as well. Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur has been noncommittal on whether he will play the Packers’ starters against the Jets on Saturday.

“I’m definitely excited, especially going to Lambeau,” Jets running back Isaiah Davis said. “I got a bunch of guys, [former] teammates on that team. Tuck [Tucker Kraft] and Amar Johnson are on the team. So, definitely excited to go and get some reps against someone else. Have that competitive nature we have on the field against somebody else, definitely excited for that.”

Injury report

Jets defensive tackle Byron Cowart has an ankle injury and will not play against the Packers on Saturday.

In addition, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf), left guard John Simpson (back), rookie tight end Mason Taylor (high ankle sprain), backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) and special teams ace Kris Boyd (shoulder) were all ruled out for the preseason opener against the Packers earlier this week.

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