If it feels like the Jets have been bad for the past decade, it’s because they have been.
Since making the AFC Championship game under Rex Ryan in 2010, New York has gone off the rails. Gang Green’s recent struggles under Adam Gase have been compounded by never seen before levels of incompetence, but a look back at the franchise’s recent history reveals the depths of its struggles.
Sitting at 5-9 with two games left to play, the Jets are locked into their fourth straight losing season. That is a first for New York since the Super Bowl era began in 1966.
Think that’s bad? If the Jets lose to either the Pittsburgh Steelers this weekend or the Buffalo Bills to conclude the regular season, it’ll be their fourth straight season with double-digit losses. That has never happened in the franchise’s 60-year history.
It gets worse.
New York is out of playoff contention, an occurrence that has become commonplace at One Jets Drive. The Jets have not made the playoffs in nine years, which is the second-longest drought in franchise history. New York missed the playoffs 11 consecutive seasons spanning from 1970-1980, but that was in an era long before free agency.
In other words, the Jets haven’t been able to figure it out even with the added benefit of free agency to address any gaping needs.
There’s always hope for the future, but it’s hard to see New York orchestrating a dramatic turnaround in 2020. Even if Sam Darnold takes the next step in his progression, the Jets face a ridiculous amount of roster turnover this offseason.
Jamal Adams and Le’Veon Bell could be traded, while Robby Anderson is set to hit free agency. General manager Joe Douglas has a lot of work to do in his first offseason on the job. With so many holes to fill, it’s likely going to take Douglas more than just one offseason to build the roster he desires.
Unless Douglas can somehow pull off a miracle and Gase can rally the troops next season, don’t expect New York’s extended drought of losing to end anytime soon.