Jets coach Aaron Glenn turns to analytics, science and rest to reshape training camp schedule

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn and the New York Jets took an unusual but well-researched approach to Day 3 of training camp practice.

They rested.

Glenn mapped out the team's practice schedule this summer by incorporating analytics and sports science, trying to maximize the production on the field while also giving his players ample time to properly recover physically off it.

“What my job is as a coach is, I understand the acclimation from the NFL as far as you go from the offseason, then now you’re in no pads to try to get into pads, and I truly understand that,” Glenn said Thursday after the Jets' second practice of camp. “But my job is to acclimate our players to get ready for the regular season.”

The Jets reported for camp on Tuesday, then had two practices and were off the field Friday, although the team was still doing classroom work and meetings. They'll be back on the field Saturday, then the players will have a full day off Sunday before returning for two more practices.

It's a far cry from the rigorous two-a-day camp practices the 54-year-old Glenn endured during a 15-year NFL playing career.

To kick off Glenn's first training camp as a head coach last summer, the Jets practiced the first four days after reporting, had one day off, practiced two days, had another day off and then were back on the field for three straight days.

But it's becoming more common around the league for teams to lean on analytics, artificial intelligence and sports science to try to improve, prepare and avoid injuries.

“I showed (the players) a graph to where the first week, the highest amount of reps we get is 24 reps and then we’re going to recover, then we’ll bring it down,” Glenn said. “So, we had two practices on (the field) and then we bring it down for recovery, and then it jumps back up. So, the next week, the highest amount of reps we’ll have is 32, all right, and then we’ll recover again. Then the next week, the highest amount of reps will be 40.

"So what I’m trying to do is get our guys to be ready to play 65 to 75 plays a game and that’s my job as a coach to be able to do that.”

The Jets, looking to bounce back from a 3-14 season, hired Iwao Fusillo as their chief data and analytics officer in January to help, along with director of analytics and strategy Sean Clement, unify football analytics, business intelligence and application development throughout the organization.

General manager Darren Mougey is already seeing the benefits of using analytics and artificial intelligence to help evaluate the Jets' roster, along with those of the other teams around the league and college players.

“It’s a different lens,” Mougey said. “It’s been very helpful, it’s important. On the AI front to this point is what it’s helped with the most is the automation of things. We’re saving a lot of man hours being able to automate information and systems and spit it out quickly. So, it’s been huge and I look forward to the continued growth as an organization with the AI and analytics.”

Meanwhile, Alexander Carnall, the team’s sports science coordinator since 2024, collaborates with Erik Korem, the Jets’ director of player performance, and head strength and conditioning coach Corey Smith and their staffs and the trainers to maximize the on-field work.

The Jets are scheduled to have at least 15 full practices in training camp, including hosting two joint sessions with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before their preseason opener on Aug. 14. New York will be at Pittsburgh on Aug. 21, then host the Giants on Aug. 28. The Jets open the regular season on the road against former coach Robert Saleh and the Titans in Tennessee on Sept. 13.

“So each week, you’ll start to see those reps go up, you start to see that yardage that they have to have, and that’s the analytics part of it, yardage will go up also,” Glenn said. “And that’s what I try to create. So when you see the day off and the days on, you’ll see it go like this here (points up).

"And that’s the reason why, man, I’m trying to get max reps, then I’m trying to recover. Max reps, then recover.”

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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn talks to reporters at the team's NFL football training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets' Darrell Jackson Jr (78), center, and others participate during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets' Garrett Wilson, right, talks to teammates during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets' offensive coordinator Frank Reich, left, and Garrett Wilson participate in a drill during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn talks to staff during practice at the team’s NFL football training camp in Florham Park, N.J., Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — This was, especially in the first half, the kind of Rams team many expected to see all along.

Matthew Stafford threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns to become the Rams' career leader in passing TDs, and Los Angeles resembled the team previously favored to win the Super Bowl, beating the Las Vegas Raiders 35-21 on Sunday.

The Rams (3-4) still have a ways to go to overcome their slow start and numerous injuries, but this victory improves their chances to be a factor in the playoff race. Since the NFL playoffs expanded from 12 to 14 teams in 2020, 10 of 41 clubs have made the postseason after opening 3-4, with just 4 of 33 making it after going 2-5.

At least in the first half, when they took a 28-6 lead, the Rams showed why they entered the season favored to win it all. The Raiders (3-4) made a push in the second half but lost their fourth straight.

“It’s nice feeling a little bit more comfortable in the fourth quarter, and that’s just a testament to how the guys played,” Stafford said. “Great team effort. I thought our coaches did a great job of giving us a plan that we felt great about coming in here to execute. Just proud of the way we worked throughout the week, and I think that showed today. We're going to have to keep doing that and doing it at a high level.”

Stafford has 155 touchdown passes in a Rams uniform, one more than previous team record holder Roman Gabriel. The reigning MVP also became the first player to accomplish that for two teams; Stafford's 282 touchdown passes is Detroit's record.

Las Vegas native Puka Nacua, who had been listed as questionable with a calf injury, caught eight passes for 68 yards and a touchdown for the Rams, and tight end Davis Allen had two TD catches — his first trips to the end zone this season.

Nacua's availability was in question until game day.

“I’m super grateful for everybody in the training room and also the belief in coach (Sean McVay) and everybody for me to be able to go out there and still perform,” Nacua said. “The communication, I think, (for) Matthew is something that he prides himself in, but especially when not being able to get some of those (practice) reps. The time to mentally still (get) a rep and have that conversation so we know where we can be on the same page.”

Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined to rush for 192 yards and two touchdowns for Los Angeles.

The Raiders' Kirk Cousins passed for 295 yards with touchdowns to Tre Tucker and running back Ashton Jeanty. Tucker finished with five receptions for 103 yards, and Jeanty hauled in eight catches for 61 yards. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 TD passes.

Jeanty and Mike Washington Jr., however, rushed for just 42 yards on 14 carries.

The Raiders gave up 30-plus points for fourth consecutive week.

“Well, no one’s coming to help us,” Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak said. “We’ve got to figure it out ourselves as a coaching staff, with the players, and we have to complement each other as well because we’ve got to start the game a lot faster offensively.”

McVay, now 4-0 against the Raiders, and the Rams took control from the beginning. They led by 22 points at halftime — the Raiders' largest home deficit after two quarters since trailing Cincinnati 24-0 in 2015 — and maintained that advantage after a scoreless third quarter.

The Raiders tried to rally in the fourth, scoring two touchdowns to get within 28-18, though they failed on both 2-point conversions. Las Vegas also failed to convert two fourth downs in Rams territory.

Los Angeles ended a two-game skid, which included last week's stunning 18-16 defeat to Arizona.

“This league is so humbling,” McVay said. “Humility is only a day away, but I was proud of the way the group prepared and, most importantly, celebrating each other’s success, having the right energy when you’re on the road and it’s just you versus the opponent and their fans.”

Rams: CB Trent McDuffie (groin) did not play for the second week in a row. He was listed as questionable, but was deactivated before kickoff.

Rams: Host their Los Angeles rival, the Chargers, next Sunday.

Raiders: Visit the New York Jets next Sunday.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) is tripped up by Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Los Angeles Rams tight end Davis Allen, right, celebrates his touchdown with teammate Tyler Higbee, left, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammate Konata Mumpfield during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor, left, attempts to make a catch in front of Los Angeles Rams cornerback Josh Wallace during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, far left, celebrates after scoring a touchdown with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)