The last time the New York Jets made the playoffs was in 2010. Mark Sanchez was the quarterback, and Rex Ryan was the coach.
The playoff drought was supposed to end when the Jets acquired four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers in 2023.
However, Rodgers would tear his Achilles tendon in 2023 on the team’s first drive. Although Rodgers put up decent numbers in 2024, the Jets were not very good and finished the season with a dismal 5-12 record.
After the season, the Jets hired a new coach, Aaron Glenn, and acquired a new quarterback when they signed Justin Fields, who had played for the Steelers in 2024, to a two-year, $40 million contract in the offseason.
Ironically, Rodgers would sign with the Steelers, and the two teams will face off against each other in their season opener on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Fields hopes to lead the Jets to the playoffs, and as the quarterback, he knows he has control over whether the team can reach the postseason.
“I mean, I think that I probably have the biggest impact on that,” he said. “So, it’s just all about me playing efficient, me playing smart, taking care of the football on the offensive side of the ball, especially this upcoming Sunday, I think they led the League in turnovers last year. So, that’s going to be one important factor that we are going to look to do this Sunday. Like I said, just continuing to get better each and every day, each and every week, and progressing throughout the season.”
While many are focusing on all the storylines surrounding the Jets matchup against the Steelers, the 26-year-old Fields is focused on what happens on the field.
“It’s no storyline for me,” Fields said on Tuesday. “It’s ball for me. So, I’ll let you guys kind of handle the storylines, the news lines, and stuff like that. In the locker room, we just keep it straight ball.”
Last season, Fields started the first six games for the Steelers, and they were 4-2. However, he would be replaced by Russell Wilson. Despite being benched, Fields has no ill will toward the Steelers.
“No, not at all,” he said. “Like I told you guys before, I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason. Like I said, I was in a spot last year where I was able to see the game from a different perspective. I learned a lot from, you know, Russ (Russell Wilson) and all the other vets there. So, not at all.”
Going into his fifth season in the league, Fields has a lot to prove. The 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft struggled in Chicago, and while he had his moments last season, you wanted to see more from him. Playing for the Jets is an excellent opportunity for Fields. He can silence the doubters and naysayers with an impressive season in New York.
Can he get the Jets to the playoffs? It’s going to be tough, but the defense should be solid, and Fields has some weapons on offense. In the end, Glenn will have the Jets competing this season, but they’ll fall short of the playoffs.
Expect the Jets to finish the season 7-10, and yes, the playoff drought continues.
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