Adam Gase did something no Jets coach has ever done: start a season 0-9.
With the Jets’ last-second loss to the Patriots on Monday, New York clinched its 30th losing season in team history and fifth consecutive losing season. But this 0-9 start is something not even the infamous Rich Kotite did in his horrid two-year stint with the Jets. Kotite started the 1996 season 0-8 but won the Jets’ lone victory of the season in Week 9 before the team’s bye. The Jets finished 1-15 that year, though Kotite stepped down as head coach before Week 17.
It was only fitting New York’s historic loss came in the final seconds against a hated division rival and from the leg of former Jets kicker Nick Folk. The Jets held a lead for the entire game – something they’ve rarely done at all this season – but once again couldn’t produce in the second half and only tallied four yards of offense in the fourth quarter.
Now, as the Jets head into their Week 10 bye, it’s hard to find a winnable game left on the schedule for the Jets to avoid another historic feat of going 0-16 on the year. Only the 2008 Lions and 2017 Browns went winless in a full 16-game season, but the Jets could join them unless they find a win in their final seven games. They face the Chargers, Dolphins, Raiders, Seahawks, Rams, Browns and Patriots to finish the season. The Jets likely won’t be favored in any of those matchups, but should have a shot against the Chargers, Dolphins and Patriots.
The one part of this bad season that could prove fortuitous for the Jets’ long-term aspirations is the 2021 draft. New York currently holds the No. 1 overall pick and has a 62.7 percent chance of finishing the season with it, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. They could use that on a lot of different positions, but would likely go for one of Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields.
This isn’t an enviable position to be in if you’re Adam Gase and the rest of the Jets’ coaching staff. Most coaches don’t last long during a winless season. The Lions fired Rod Marinelli after finishing 0-16, and the Browns fired Hue Jackson after starting 0-12. Joe Douglas and Christopher Johnson said publicly they still have faith in Gase, but that should change if the Jets keep losing.