What Happened to New York Jets?

The New York Jets, a franchise steeped in history but starved of recent success, have navigated a tumultuous period from 2024 through mid-2026, characterized by significant organizational upheaval and continued on-field struggles. The team's prolonged playoff drought, which began after the 2010 season, remains the longest active streak in the NFL, casting a long shadow over the organization.

The 2024 season, initially anticipated with optimism following Aaron Rodgers' return from an Achilles injury, quickly devolved into disappointment. The Jets finished with a 5-12 record, placing third in the AFC East. The season saw the mid-season firing of Head Coach Robert Saleh after a 2-3 start, with Defensive Coordinator Jeff Ulbrich stepping in as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. General Manager Joe Douglas was also relieved of his duties in November 2024, replaced by Phil Savage on an interim basis. These changes underscored a growing frustration within the franchise regarding its inability to translate talent into wins.

The 2025 season proved to be even more challenging, as the Jets posted a dismal 3-14 record, finishing last in the AFC East. This marked their worst season since 2020 and extended their losing season streak to ten consecutive years, while also eliminating them from playoff contention for the 15th straight year. A major turning point occurred in February 2025 when Aaron Rodgers, who had been acquired with much fanfare, was 'divorced' from the team and subsequently joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. This decision was made by the newly appointed General Manager Darren Mougey and Head Coach Aaron Glenn, signaling a complete reset at the quarterback position and a new organizational direction. Notably, the 2025 Jets became the first team in NFL history to not record an interception in an entire season, highlighting significant defensive struggles despite a focus on that side of the ball.

Heading into the 2026 season, the Jets have undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of their coaching staff under Head Coach Aaron Glenn. Frank Reich was hired as the new Offensive Coordinator, and Brian Duker took over as Defensive Coordinator, bringing a wealth of experience and a new philosophical approach to both sides of the ball. The team has been active in the offseason, making several key acquisitions to bolster the roster. They traded for quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. Additionally, the Jets re-signed running back Breece Hall by placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on him and brought back veteran linebacker Demario Davis for a third stint with the team.

As of August 24, 2026, the New York Jets are in their preseason, with a renewed sense of cautious optimism surrounding the new leadership and roster additions. Owner Woody Johnson also made headlines by acquiring a minority stake in the Aston Martin F1 team in August 2026. The team secured a 17-0 preseason victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game notable for Aaron Rodgers (now with the Steelers) sitting out against his former team. The focus for the 2026 season is firmly on developing their new talent, integrating the new coaching schemes, and finally breaking their long-standing playoff drought, with the pressure on Glenn and Mougey to demonstrate tangible progress.