Jets Now Own Longest Playoff Drought in Major North American Pro Sports

Buffalo Sabres clinching playoff spot ends their 14-year drought, leaving the Jets with the longest drought in major leagues.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 9:48pm

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The New York Jets now hold the longest playoff drought in major North American professional sports after the Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff berth for the first time in 14 seasons, ending the NHL's longest drought. The Jets last made the playoffs in the 2010 season, and with a 3-14 record in 2022, they face an uphill battle to end their drought next season.

Why it matters

The Jets' inability to end their playoff drought has been a source of frustration for the team and its fans, as they continue to lag behind their divisional rivals and struggle to field a competitive team. This record-setting drought highlights the team's struggles and the need for a major turnaround to get back to the postseason.

The details

In the 2022 season, the Jets went 3-14 under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn, becoming the first team in NFL history to not record an interception over the course of the season. They traded away star defenders Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, and were forced to start undrafted rookie Brady Cook for four games due to injuries to starting quarterback Justin Fields and backup Tyrod Taylor.

  • The Jets last made the playoffs in the 2010 season.
  • The Buffalo Sabres clinched a playoff spot in the 2026 season, ending their 14-year drought.

The players

Aaron Glenn

The Jets' head coach in the 2022 season, his first as a head coach in the NFL.

Sauce Gardner

A star defender traded by the Jets at the 2022 trade deadline.

Quinnen Williams

A star defender traded by the Jets at the 2022 trade deadline.

Justin Fields

The Jets' starting quarterback in 2022 who missed significant time due to injury.

Tyrod Taylor

The Jets' backup quarterback in 2022 who started four games before being injured.

Brady Cook

An undrafted rookie who started four games for the Jets in 2022 due to injuries to the other quarterbacks.

Geno Smith

A former Jets quarterback who was acquired from the Raiders to be the team's starting QB in 2023.

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What’s next

The Jets will look to their two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, as well as new starting quarterback Geno Smith, to help end their playoff drought next season.

The takeaway

The Jets' inability to end their playoff drought, now the longest in major North American pro sports, highlights the team's struggles and the need for a major turnaround to get back to the postseason and end over a decade of disappointment for the franchise and its fans.