FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- When New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich met the media recently, the first question he fielded was about expectations. His unit had the third-fewest yards allowed in 2023, fourth the previous year and now he was being asked about an encore.
Let's pause it right here to insert some perspective.
Encore? There was a time not long ago -- 2021 -- when people were questioning whether Ulbrich deserved a second chance to coach the unit, let alone the opportunity to try for a rare trifecta -- a top-five defense for three straight years.