CHICAGO — Aaron Glenn will see another familiar face on the other sideline Sunday.
One week after playing Dan Campbell’s Lions, Glenn brings his Jets to Soldier Field to play the Bears and their head coach, Ben Johnson.
Glenn and Johnson spent four years together in Detroit as assistants, the last three facing off against each other in training camp as coordinators.
Now, they square off in a Week 4 game where the Jets (1-2) are trying to prove they can beat a quality opponent, and the Bears (2-1) are expected to be without starting quarterback Caleb Williams.
“We put so much time in together of, when you have coordinators, offensive and defensive coordinator, you’re really planning practice,” Glenn said of Johnson. “You’re really planning things you want to see against each other, so the communication between me and him was always outstanding. I remember when he first ended up getting the position, and me and him sitting up and talking, he’s asking me questions on how many practices ahead of time do I want to happen.
“For a defensive guy, you always want to be a couple steps ahead so you can plan the right way, and just having those conversations and seeing how he put things together, and then just talking offensive and defensive football was good to have. But the one thing, we were so competitive in move the ball situations on how we wanted to beat each other, but it made both of us better, I will say that.
“He’s a damn good coach.”
Johnson’s offense has been strong this season.
The Bears are third in yards per game in the NFL, fifth in points per game and first in rushing yards.
They lost Williams two weeks ago to a hamstring strain that will have him sidelined again against the Jets.
Glenn’s defense has been strong this season, too.
The Jets are second in yards allowed, 11th in points and third against the pass.
“He commands respect from everybody in that locker room,” Johnson said of Glenn. “I know how the people felt about him in Detroit, and I can just imagine it’s very similar there in New York, from everything I can gather. I think it starts with that. He’s doing a fantastic job, as far as I’m concerned.
“I get what their record is right now, but this is a team that’s really close to winning a lot of football games, and so this is a big week for us.”
