Four questions facing the Jets for remainder of the season

The Jets made a minor move before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline and passed on opportunities to make bigger ones.

Reportedly, the Jets rebuffed Minnesota’s interest in quarterback Geno Smith. The Vikings ended up re-acquiring Kirk Cousins in a trade with the Raiders. Frustrated edge rusher Will McDonald’s trade request wasn’t granted, despite one report saying the Jaguars made “a significant offer” for McDonald.

The Jets also held on to Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, as expected. Their only move happened on Monday when they sent Valley Stream’s Andre Cisco to Detroit for a 2028 sixth-round pick.

It was surprising that the general manager Darren Mougey didn’t do more to collect additional draft capital amid another disappointing season. Here are four questions facing the Jets the rest of the way:

1. What is Aaron Glenn’s future?

There has been conjecture that the Jets wouldn’t make any major deals because owner Woody Johnson wants to give Glenn and this staff every opportunity to succeed. Glenn hasn’t done anything to show that he’s the guy, though.

The Jets are 5-21, including 0-8 in the AFC East under Glenn’s watch. Their 2-7 record matches last year’s mark after nine games. The Jets play the heavily favored Bills on Sunday, and the two games after that could determine Glenn’s fate.

The winless Chargers and one-win Dolphins – whose lone victory came against Glenn’s team – are the Jets’ last two opponents before their BYE. Both games are on the road.

The Jets have lost 10 straight in Miami. But the Dolphins will start either Kyle McCord or ex-Jet Brady Cook after putting Malik Willis on injured reserve.

If the Jets lose both of those games and are 2-10, they could come out of the bye with offensive coordinator Frank Reich as interim head coach. Glenn continues to have the support of his players, though.

“The process and the things that are being built are happening,” linebacker Demario Davis said. “There's evidence from the top to the bottom of things that are going in the right direction.”

It hasn’t shown in the results. If ownership truly is giving Glenn a stay of execution to prove himself, he has to do something with it.

2. Will Glenn give up the defensive play-calling duties?

Glenn didn’t rule it out this week as he said, “I will never say never to anything, but I do know this: I'm looking at everything and I'm looking at ways of us to improve, and whatever that is for us to get better, you can best believe I'll make those changes.”

The Jets’ defense ranked fifth in points allowed (19.2) five games into the season. Since then, the Jets have yielded 31.8 points, the second most in the NFL.

Glenn has struggled being the head coach and defensive play-caller as evidenced by his clock management issues at the end of halves and games. Glenn acknowledged “it’s not easy” to do both. But the Jets don’t have an experienced play-caller if Glenn gives up those responsibilities.

Brian Duker is the defensive coordinator in title, but he’s never called a defense. Chris Harris closed out last season as the Jets interim defensive coordinator when Steve Wilks was fired with three games to go. Harris is the Jets’ defensive backs coach/passing-game coordinator.

Glenn reportedly was close to long-time coordinator Wink Martindale last off-season. Martindale said ownership put the kibosh on that.

3. Will the Jets give Cade Klubnik a shot?

Glenn should have put the rookie fourth-round pick in during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 35-12 loss in Kansas City and then gone back to Smith for this week’s game. If Buffalo opens up a big lead on Sunday, Glenn should give Klubnik his shot.

The reality is Glenn is trying to save his job so he’s not turning to Klubnik unless he’s told to by those above him. The Jets didn’t entertain moving Smith because they’re still trying to win and they want to keep developing their young playmakers.

After the bye, no matter who the coach is, the Jets should let Klubnik run the offense. They will draft a quarterback with one of their three first-round picks next year, but the Jets also have to see whether Klubnik can be a part of the future.

4. How will the Jets use McDonald now?

He’s been upset over his lack of playing time and then was on the field for just 24 snaps on Sunday.

If the Jets were offered a Day 2 pick for McDonald, they should have taken it. Since they didn’t, Glenn has to do a better job of putting McDonald in position to succeed, play to his strengths, which is rushing the passer and don’t drop him in coverage as much.

A strong finish could raise McDonald’s trade value in the offseason if the Jets decide to move him then.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.