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The New York Jets went into their Week 8 game with a heavy heart after news emerged that former star center Nick Mangold had passed away on Saturday night at the age of 41. Fortunately, they were able to overcome this truly unfortunate news to put together an inspired effort against the Cincinnati Bengals that Mangold certainly would have been proud of. Mangold’s death comes shortly after the seven-time Pro Bowler recently posted on social media that he was in need of a new kidney as a result of chronic kidney disease, which he was originally diagnosed with prior to being drafted in the 2006 NFL Draft. Very few players that have ever put on a Jets uniform have meant more to the organization than Mangold, who played a pivotal role on several Jets teams that ended up reaching the conference championship over the course of his 11-year NFL career. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 19: Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets reacts after a 13-6 loss against the Carolina Panthers in the game at MetLife Stadium on October 19, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) More news: Sports Doctor Shares Positive Prediction on Giants’ Cam Skattebo’s Injury With that in mind, Aaron Glenn, who himself knows what it means to represent the Jets as a player, made it a point to share Mangold’s importance to the history of the organization when talking with his team after New York’s 39-38 victory, their first of the 2025 season. “I didn’t play with this player obviously,” said Glenn of Mangold. “But he is a Jet through and through. He had a number of kids. That touches me every time, a member of this organization, especially somebody that put their heart and soul into making this team a winning team, that has passed away. I just wanted to acknowledge that first and foremost. Make sure you keep his family in your prayers. Please do that.” A Jet through and through 💚 pic.twitter.com/NSMCxcIPLD— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2025 More news: Ravens’ John Harbaugh Addresses Lamar Jackson’s Controversial Injury Status Mangold’s passing obviously puts a bit of a damper on what should have been a day that Jets fans everywhere celebrated the team’s first victory in the Aaron Glenn era. However, based on what we know from Mangold, he would likely have wanted nothing more than for his former team to show up and put together the kind of effort that he always played with during his own playing career. The Jets will look to continue to build on this newfound momentum in their next matchup in Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns after a Week 9 bye. As for Mangold, it sure seems quite clear based on Glenn’s comments that his name and legacy in New York will live on far after his untimely death on Saturday. For more on the New York Jets, Aaron Glenn, Nick Mangold, and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
