Chris Harris is grateful for his promotion from defensive backs coach to interim defensive coordinator for the Jets for the final three games of the season, following the firing earlier this week of veteran coach Steve Wilks.
But Harris, who played for eight seasons as a safety with four NFL teams, isn’t necessarily viewing the step up as a positive reflection of the coaching job he’s done this season with the 30th-ranked scoring defense in the league.
“This isn’t ideal. Nobody wants to go through this during the season,” Harris said before Thursday’s practice in Florham Park. “It’s something I definitely aspired to do, and I’m grateful for the opportunity that [head coach Aaron Glenn has] given me. With Steve, I learned a lot from him…and what happened is not an indictment on him. it’s on the entire defensive staff, and we just have to do better.
“Ultimately, this is on all of us as a coaching staff. I want to thank AG for putting me in this position, but again, it’s not about me. Our focus is getting ready to play the Saints and trying to put the best product on the field.”
The 56-year-old Wilks was axed on Monday, one day after the Jets — who traded former Pro Bowlers Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in November — suffered a 48-20 trouncing by the Jaguars to fall to 3-11 entering this week’s road game against the Saints.
“Steve is a good friend of mine and I wish him well. He’s a great person,” the 43-year-old Harris said. “So it’s just one of those things that happened, one of those things, unfortunately, in this business. Those things happen. But again, it’s not an indictment on Steve. I have to get better, and our entire coaching staff, it’s on all of us.”
Harris, who picked off Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLI in a losing effort for the Bears, also acknowledged that “it’s unusual” that the Jets’ defense has managed zero interceptions through 14 games — an NFL record to start a season — and just two takeaways on fumble recoveries.
The Jets have totaled three takeaways for the season overall, also including one on special teams. The fewest takeaways in history in a full season were seven by the 49ers in 2018. That San Francisco squad also holds the mark for fewest interceptions, with two that year.
“First time I’ve been a part of that,” Harris said. “But our guys are doing everything that they can, and we’re doing everything that we can, out there. We’re focusing every single day on catching the ball. Those opportunities have come and they’re going to come. I’m certain that they’re going to come.
“Our guys are doing everything they can. We’re harping on it. We’re preaching it.”
Jacksonville’s 48-point explosion featured quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing for 330 yards with five touchdowns and running for another score. One week earlier, the Dolphins had pasted the Jets, 34-10.
Overall, the defense is allowing 28.4 points per game, putting the Jets on pace to give up the second-most points in franchise history. They also rank 20th in yards allowed and 29th in rushing defense.
“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said earlier this week about the change. “I’ve said this all along. I’m evaluating players. I’m evaluating coaches. I’m evaluating myself. I just felt like this was the best decision right now for the team and for this organization.
“I want to see consistent improvement. I want to see structure that’s consistent. I want to see play that’s consistent. I want to see the character, the culture of this football team come together.”
Glenn previously served as the Lions’ defensive coordinator from 2021-24 and has said that he will assist Harris during the week with the game plan, but Harris will handle the defensive play-calling Sunday in New Orleans.
“He’s been great. We’ve kind of been back and forth at night talking and showing me how he did things as a defensive coordinator. Getting prepared, game plan, things of that nature,” Harris said. “I don’t want to make anything about me, but to bring to the defense, I’m a former player, and I can talk to the guys. I understand how they think, so it’s all about preparing, and we want to play with grit and toughness.”
