Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets

As the New York Jets enter the critical stretch of the 2025 NFL season, the team’s coaching staff and front office have held a series of closed-door strategy sessions to refine their approach for the playoffs. These intensive meetings—lasting 4-5 hours daily over a week—brought together head coach Robert Saleh, coordinators Jeff Ulbrich (defense) and Nathaniel Hackett (offense), position coaches, and key players to review film, analyze data, and align on game plans. Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets pulls back the curtain on these discussions, highlighting the key tactical adjustments, player role shifts, and opponent-specific game plans that emerged. For Jets fans and analysts, these insights offer a clear picture of how the team plans to turn potential into results and end its long playoff drought.

Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets begins with the defense’s top priority: fixing third-down efficiency. After reviewing film from the first 14 weeks, the coaching staff identified a pattern: the Jets were allowing opponents to convert 48% of third-down attempts—ranking 26th in the NFL—largely due to struggles in covering tight ends and slot receivers. To address this, the sessions yielded a two-part solution: first, shifting cornerback Rasul Douglas to full-time slot coverage (where he’s allowed just 3 receptions in his last three games) and using safety Jordan Whitehead in a “hybrid” role to double-team opposing tight ends. Second, the staff decided to increase blitz rates on third-and-long (from 35% to 50%), leveraging edge rusher Justin Houston’s 28% pressure rate. “Third downs were killing us,” Ulbrich said during the sessions. “By playing to our strengths—Rasul’s coverage skills and our pass rush—we can force more punts and give our offense better field position.” The team also practiced this new scheme extensively in walkthroughs, with players reporting increased confidence in their ability to stop opponents on third down.

A central focus of Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets is the offense’s plan to become more unpredictable. Hackett and his staff spent hours analyzing why the Jets’ offense had become too reliant on the run game (62% of plays in the red zone) —a tendency opponents had exploited by stacking the box. The solution? Incorporating more “play-action bootlegs” to get quarterback Zach Wilson on the move, which would force defenses to respect both the run and Wilson’s passing ability on the outside. The sessions also emphasized targeting tight end Tyler Conklin more in the intermediate passing game; Conklin, who had been underutilized (just 3 receptions per game), was identified as a mismatch against most linebackers. “We have to keep defenses guessing,” Hackett explained. “If they stack the box to stop the run, we’ll hit them with play-action passes to Conklin or our wide receivers on the perimeter. If they drop back in coverage, we’ll lean on our running backs.” The staff also adjusted Wilson’s pre-snap routine, giving him more freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage based on the defense’s alignment—a move aimed at reducing sacks (Wilson had been sacked 32 times through 14 weeks).

Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets also delves into the team’s special teams adjustments, which were deemed “critical for winning close games” by special teams coordinator Brant Boyer. The sessions revealed two key issues: the Jets’ punt return average (6.8 yards per return, 24th in the NFL) and their struggles to block field goals (no blocks all season). To fix the punt return game, the staff decided to give more reps to wide receiver Jalen Moore—who had shown explosive speed in practice—replacing Braxton Berrios, who had been dealing with a minor knee injury. For field goal blocks, the team designed a new “edge stunt” that would use defensive tackle Jowon Briggs’ strength to push through the line and disrupt kicks. “Special teams can win or lose a playoff game,” Boyer said. “These adjustments aren’t flashy, but they can make a 3-point difference—and that’s often all it takes.” For the New York Jets, these special teams tweaks are part of a larger effort to eliminate “hidden losses” —turnovers, penalties, and special teams miscues—that had cost them four games by three points or fewer earlier in the season.

Another key takeaway from Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets is the emphasis on player rest and recovery during the stretch run. With three games in 12 days, the coaching staff acknowledged that fatigue could lead to injuries and poor performance. As a result, the sessions produced a modified practice schedule: reducing full-contact drills to once per week, adding morning yoga sessions for linemen, and bringing in a sports nutritionist to design meal plans that optimize energy and recovery. The staff also decided to limit snap counts for veterans like Houston and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in non-division games, ensuring they’re fresh for matchups against the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. “We have to be smart about how we use our best players,” Saleh said. “Winning the division and making the playoffs isn’t about winning one game—it’s about winning three in a row, and that means keeping our guys healthy.” For the New York Jets, this focus on recovery is a departure from past seasons, when the team often pushed players too hard late in the year, leading to injuries that derailed playoff pushes.

Looking ahead, Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets outlines the team’s game plan for its Week 15 showdown against the Bills—a must-win for divisional control. The sessions identified three key areas to exploit: the Bills’ weak run defense (allowing 115 yards per game), their struggles with play-action passes (giving up 8.2 yards per attempt), and their tendency to fold in the fourth quarter (losing five games this season when leading after three quarters). The Jets plan to start the game with a heavy run attack to wear down the Bills’ defensive line, then use play-action passes to Wilson’s favorite target, Garrett Wilson, in the second half. Defensively, the team will focus on pressuring Bills quarterback Josh Allen early—using Houston and Lawson in a “twin edge” rush—to force him into bad decisions. “This game is about executing our plan and staying disciplined,” Saleh said. “We know what the Bills do well, and we know where we can beat them. Now it’s up to us to go out and do it.” For the New York Jets, this game plan isn’t just about beating the Bills—it’s about proving they can compete with the NFL’s top teams and build momentum for the playoffs.

Insights from Strategy Sessions on the New York Jets is ultimately a story of preparation and alignment. The Jets’ coaching staff and players have spent weeks refining their approach, addressing weaknesses, and playing to their strengths—all with the goal of ending their playoff drought. These sessions have yielded clear 战术 (tactical) adjustments, from shifting Douglas to the slot to emphasizing play-action passes, and have fostered a sense of unity among the team. For Jets fans, these insights offer hope that the team’s late-season push is more than just luck—it’s the result of careful planning and hard work. As the Jets take the field for their final games, the strategies developed in these sessions will be put to the test. If executed well, they could lead the team to its first playoff appearance in over a decade—and maybe even more.