The New York Jets defense is going to look incredibly different in 2021 and beyond. For starters, Robert Saleh as a head coach will be bringing very different principles and discipline to the team, especially the defense. Along with Jeff Ulbrich, they will look to change multiple things starting with the Jets horrible penalty record. The 2020 Jets defense was flagged for 14 roughing the passer penalties (league average is below 4) and 10 defense holding penalties (league average is 5). Secondly and most importantly, the defense with be changing from a base 3-4 defensive scheme to a 4-3 under scheme primarily playing cover 3 but will be able to adapt based on the opponent. This, in its simplest terms, means that the Jets go from playing with 3 defensive lineman and 4 linebackers to playing with 4 defensive lineman and 3 linebackers. Ulbrich and Saleh’s system, which they learned and became experts at while working together in Seattle, will affect a few guys on the Jets most.
Preview of Saleh, Ulbrich, and the Jets’ New Defensive Scheme
Will Parkinson gives fans an inside look at the Jets’ new defensive scheme switch.