On January 28, the Jets hired Brian Duker as their new defensive coordinator.
While Duker will have the title of defensive coordinator, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn will make the defensive play calls on game day.
But they will work hand in hand during the week, preparing the defensive game plans, and be in constant communication on game days when it comes to play-calling.
Duker worked under Glenn for three years with the Detroit Lions, as a defensive assistant (2021), safeties coach (2022), and defensive backs coach (2023).
In 2023, the Lions were one of only four NFL teams to have at least three defenders with at least 3 interceptions – safeties Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, along with CB Jerry Jacobs.
Duker spent the last two years as the Miami Dolphins’ secondary coach, and his acumen in coaching the back end showed again.
Not many teams were more ravaged by secondary injuries than Miami last year, but Duker somehow held things together.
The Dolphins lost cornerbacks Kader Kohou and Artie Burnes to season-ending knee injuries in the summer, and then corners Storm Duck and JuJu Brents during the season. And keep in mind, the team traded their best corner, Jalen Ramsey, to Pittsburgh in the offseason.
The Dolphins still managed to haul in nine picks last year with a bunch of corners signed off the street. To use the word “patchwork” to describe the Dolphins’ secondary last year might be an understatement.
Keep in mind, the Jets had no interceptions this past season, very rare on the NFL level to see a season like this, so Duker’s acumen in this area will certainly come in handy.
On November 9, 2025, with a patchwork secondary, the Dolphins dominated the Bills in an unlikely 30-13 win.
The Jets got blown out by Buffalo twice last year, playing two of their worst defensive games of the season.
People were quick to blame some of the Jets’ defensive issues late last year on defensive back injuries, but Duker had plenty of injuries to deal with last year and still managed to keep his secondary competitive.
Nobody knows how Duker will do as co-defensive coordinator with Glenn, but based on his resume, you’d have to think he will elevate the play of the Jets’ secondary.
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