As the New York Jets prepare for their season opener Sunday, the focus remains on ending the team’s historic interception drought that dominated headlines throughout the offseason. The Jets, the first team in NFL history to complete an entire season without an interception, aim to reverse that trend as they face second-year Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward.
Jets defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn addressed the issue during a news conference Friday, expressing that while the interception drought is a prominent topic among media and fans, the team itself concentrates more on fundamentals like attacking the ball and forcing turnovers rather than dwelling on the negative aspect of the streak. “The thing that we talk about more is just making sure that we go after the ball, making sure that we punch the ball out, making sure that we emphasize that play and intention,” Glenn said.
The Jets overhauled their secondary in the offseason, adding Pro Bowl cornerback Nahshon Wright and former All-Pro safety Minka Fitzpatrick to a group that also includes Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Brandon Stephens. Brownlee expressed confidence in the unit’s progress, describing a growing trust and belief that the Jets’ defense could become “one of the best in this league” with a goal of generating three turnovers per game. Wright echoed the sentiment, calling last season without interceptions “an anomaly” and emphasizing that doing the right things defensively should lead to takeaways.
The Jets saw positive signs during the preseason when Andre Cisco and Marcelino McCrary-Ball each secured interceptions. Cisco’s pick in the Aug. 21 game against the Carolina Panthers and McCrary-Ball’s early interception in the final preseason outing against the New York Giants suggested the streak could finally end. Yet, players such as Stephens downplayed the significance of snapping the streak itself, focusing instead on defensive execution and the objective of creating turnovers.
Sunday’s game presents an opportunity against Ward, who threw seven interceptions as a rookie but now operates in a revamped Titans offense featuring new receivers Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson. If the Jets fail to secure an interception, they will face Jordan Love in Week 2, Jared Goff in Week 3, and Caleb Williams in Week 4, all quarterbacks with varying interception histories.
The Jets finished 2025 with a record of 3-14 and the fewest takeaways in the league—fewer than six—and Glenn acknowledged that turnovers are vital to improving results. Despite the stark gap between last season’s performance and becoming a top defensive secondary, the team’s new additions and coaching staff appear committed to ending the streak and building a more effective unit. As the regular season begins, the Jets’ secondary hopes to translate preseason momentum into game-day success and finally shed the shadow of last year’s record-setting drought.