Jets DL coach "doesn't care" if David Bailey struggles versus the run

Justin Melo, Jets WireSun, June 14, 2026 at 12:45 PM UTC

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Jets DL coach "doesn't care" if David Bailey struggles versus the run

After debating how to spend their No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Jets settled on the draft's consensus best pass rusher, David Bailey out of Texas Tech.

Bailey was extremely disruptive last season, recording 14.5 sacks for the Red Raiders. If there was one knock on his game, critics picked apart his ability to defend the run.

The Jets recorded 26 sacks last season, second-fewest in the NFL. The team traded pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat earlier this offseason, sacrificing even more pass-rushing potential.

Bottom line, they drafted Bailey to rush the quarterback.

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Jets defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was recently asked about Bailey's perceived struggles against the run. "Don't care. Can he rush the passer,?" Dunbar jokingly told The Athletic.

"Have you been seeing what we're doing? We're teaching him how to do what? Play the run," Dunbar continued in a more serious tone. "Because you've got to earn the right to rush the passer. If you don't stop the run, they're not going to throw the ball."

Coach Dunbar is helping Bailey improve his run-game recognition and ability. The Jets expect their second overall selection to pin his ears back and haunt opposing quarterbacks as a pass rusher.

In order to get as many pass-rushing opportunities as possible, Bailey and the Jets need to stop the run on first and second down.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets DL coach "doesn't care" if David Bailey struggles versus the run

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Source: “AOL Sports”