'Ferociousness:' How David Bailey Is Turning Heads During Jets' In-Game Setting

Friday night could not have gone better for the New York Jets. They not only came away with a nice 17-0 victory over the Steelers, but the Jets players who needed to step up when it mattered most did.

Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw a touchdown pass, the defense recorded two interceptions, and there even appears to be a clear winner in the kicking battle so far.

Arguably the best part of the victory, though, came from the team's second overall pick. Rookie pass rusher David Bailey recorded a sack on a power rush move early in the contest. He also added a tackle for loss in the run game.

first of many for the No. 2 pick

📺: #NYJvsPIT on @NFLonCBS, @paramountplus pic.twitter.com/P6yF0fjJZ5
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 21, 2026

Bailey's total showing would excite every Jets fan. But for head coach Aaron Glenn, it wasn't anything he hadn't already seen.

"We know what (David) can do as far as a pass rusher, but obviously in my head there were a couple things that he has to improve on that showed up in the game, and he will," Glenn said. "He's there early every day working on his body and things like that. I know for a fact that he's going to improve on some of those mistakes that he had."

The Jets' coaching staff wants more from their top pick. The players around Bailey, though, know that he brings something new to the organization that they haven't had.

David Bailey hype continues to grow ahead of preseason finale

The first thing that stood out about Bailey over the course of training camp wasn't his pass-rushing ability. It was his never-ending motor that seemed to make him a "pain in the (EXPLETIVE)" to even the best offensive linemen on the team.

There's another word to describe Bailey's motor, though. And it comes from one of Bailey's top edge-rushing teammates, Joseph Ossai.

(David) has a fire to him that I really love. From Day 1, I've been able to see that dog and that ferociousness, and he's not afraid to let somebody know about it. And it's been great watching him. A lot of dogs in that (D-line) room for sure.
Joseph Ossai on David Bailey

Expectations are as high as ever for Bailey after his latest preseason game. Not only did he make several plays against the run, but his pass rushing skill set gives the Jets something they simply haven't had in years: an edge rusher who seems to be just scratching the surface of what he can do.

As the organization prepares for its opening day contest against the Titans, the ferociousness that Bailey's teammates are using to describe him will be needed more than ever for himself and the Jets.

It might be the difference between Gang Green struggling in 2026 and finally laying the building blocks needed to show that the roster is improving after all.

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