July 26: McDonald Dominates, Reynolds Emerges as WR2
An intriguing one-on-one matchup highlighted Saturday’s practice as edge rusher Will McDonald IV consistently bested rookie first-round pick Armand Membou. McDonald, a second-year player, recorded two sacks against the rookie right tackle—one with a spin move and another with a powerful bull rush that put the 332-pound Membou on the ground.
While practices without pads typically favor defenders, McDonald’s performance was a notable display of skill and developing power. “He’s going to do a lot of damage in this league,” Head Coach Aaron Glenn said of the edge rusher who recorded 10.5 sacks last season.
For Membou, who is slated to start in Week 1, the daily competition provides a critical learning experience as he prepares to face Steelers star T.J. Watt in the season opener. “Sometimes I’ll be going against him and I’ll just be thinking, ‘How did he do that?'” Membou said of McDonald.
In other news, the battle for the WR2 position appears to be settling. Josh Reynolds has solidified himself as the clear leader, enjoying his best practice of camp with three receptions from quarterback Tyrod Taylor. In contrast, Allen Lazard has had a quiet camp and seems to have fallen in the receiver pecking order.
Additional Notes from Saturday:
- Coach Glenn introduced a new open-field, one-on-one tackling drill. While players were not in full pads, the drill focused on proper wrapping technique and quickly became a crowd favorite.
- After early struggles, the team’s kickers had a strong day. Caden Davis went 9-for-10 on field goals and extra points, while Harrison Mevis was 8-for-10. Both successfully converted from 53 yards. Mevis also kicked a 29-yard “game-winner” to cap a two-minute drill.
- The offense committed two turnovers: a fumble by running back Breece Hall and an interception thrown by rookie quarterback Brady Cook.
July 25: Glenn Addresses Penalties, Taylor Steps In for Fields
New head coach Aaron Glenn is taking direct aim at the team’s history of penalties by bringing a full officiating crew to every practice. The Jets led the league in penalty yards last season and ranked third-most from 2021 to 2024.
“It’s no secret that we were the most penalized team in the league last year,” Glenn said. “I will tell you this: We are going to knock these penalties out. We’re going to understand that undisciplined teams do not win games.”
With quarterback Justin Fields sidelined by a toe injury, Tyrod Taylor ran the first-team offense, finishing 6-for-11. He led a productive two-minute drive, connecting with Garrett Wilson for three consecutive completions, but it concluded with an end-zone interception by safety Andre Cisco.
Additional Notes from Friday:
- The offensive line created consistent running lanes, highlighted by a 10-yard touchdown run from Breece Hall.
- Rookie tight end Mason Taylor, a second-round pick, made a diving catch in the end zone during a 7-on-7 period. Glenn also praised his blocking ability, noting it was better than advertised.
- Practice was heavily focused on situational drills, particularly in the red zone and two-minute offense, which were areas of weakness for the team last season.
July 24: Fields Injury Scare, Defense Shines
An injury scare involving quarterback Justin Fields overshadowed a dominant defensive performance on Thursday. Fields suffered a dislocated toe, but the team has since listed him as day-to-day, averting a potential crisis. Before his exit, Fields had taken just five team reps and was off to a shaky start, taking a sack and throwing an incompletion into double coverage.
Defensively, cornerback Brandon Stephens stood out with excellent coverage against top receiver Garrett Wilson, earning high praise from his head coach. “I’m excited about that player,” Glenn said. The Jets signed Stephens to a three-year, $36 million contract in free agency. He is expected to start opposite Sauce Gardner and will likely be tested often by opposing offenses.
Additional Notes from Thursday:
- The kicking competition had a difficult day, with both rookie Caden Davis and former UFL standout Harrison Mevis missing multiple field goals. Glenn stated he was “not about to panic,” but the team is likely monitoring veteran options.
- Coach Glenn expressed interest in a contract extension for right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, who is entering the season on his fifth-year option. “Man, he’s a great player,” Glenn said. “Hopefully, at some point, we can try to talk and get something done.”
July 23: A New Era Begins Under Coach Aaron Glenn
First-year head coach Aaron Glenn brought palpable energy to his first training camp practice, moving between offensive and defensive units to establish his presence with the entire team. A former first-round pick for the Jets, Glenn connected with the fanbase’s long-standing frustration.
“I know the pain, I know all the things that the fans have been through,” he told reporters. “I understand the pain and I’m hoping, I’m praying. I expect to make sure that pain goes away and I think about that every day.”
On the field, quarterback Justin Fields was solid in his debut, completing 5 of 8 passes. His best throw was a deep corner route to former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson.
Additional Notes from Wednesday:
- Receiver Malachi Corley, who is looking to secure a roster spot after a disappointing rookie season, dropped a pass from fourth-string quarterback Brady Cook.
- Incumbent center Joe Tippmann acknowledged being surprised by the offseason signing of veteran Josh Myers but said he welcomes the “open competition” for the starting job.
July 22: Jets Report to Camp with Quiet Confidence
The New York Jets opened training camp on a quiet, business-like note, a stark contrast to the drama of recent years. The day’s focus was on celebrating the team’s young cornerstones, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who both recently signed massive contract extensions.
Players also arrived to a newly renovated, state-of-the-art locker room, which defensive tackle Quinnen Williams called “super dope.” With a new coach, a new quarterback, and new facilities, the organization is signaling a fresh start.
Williams, who has been with the team since 2019, acknowledged the challenge of the franchise’s nine straight losing seasons but expressed optimism for the future.
“I think it’s a super high expectation for this team, for this coaching staff and for this organization and what we want to achieve and where we want to go,” Williams said.
