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Misery loves company, but unfortunately for the New York Jets, they no longer have company.
With the Buffalo Sabers clinching a playoff berth for the first time in 14 seasons and ending the longest playoff drought in NHL history, the Jets are now sole owners of the longest playoff drought among any team in major North American professional sports.
The last time the Jets made the playoffs was during the 2010 season, when they lost in the AFC Championship Game to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Barring a miraculous turnaround, it seems unlikely the Jets will make the playoffs next season.
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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn reacts in the first quarter against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on December 28, 2025. (Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images)
In Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach, the team went 3–14 and became the first team in NFL history to not record an interception during the season. At the trade deadline, they traded star defensemen Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in exchange for draft picks.
Justin Fields only started nine games for the Jets due to injury after being signed last offseason with hopes of becoming a starting quarterback. Backup Tyrod Taylor started four games before being injured, and the team was forced to start undrafted rookie Brady Cook for four games.
The Jets have overhauled their quarterback room as they look to retool. They traded Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs; Taylor remains a free agent, while Cook remains on the roster.
SABERS END LONGEST PERIMETER DROUGHT IN NHL HISTORY, SECURING A PLACE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2011
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada on November 23, 2025. (Stephen R. Sylvanie/Imagn Images)
The Jets acquired Geno Smith, who spent four seasons with the franchise after being drafted in 2013, from the Las Vegas Raiders to become their starting quarterback.
Smith had a rough season with the Raiders, leading the NFL with 17 interceptions despite missing two games due to injury. He completed 67.4% of his passes for 3,205 yards with 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is shown during the second quarter on Sunday, October 5, 2025. (Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com)
For the Jets to end their playoff drought, they’re hoping their two first-round picks from this year’s draft, No. 2 overall and No. 16 overall, along with Smith and the rest of their free agent class, can turn things around.
If they don’t turn things around, the longest playoff drought in major North American professional sports will continue for another year.
