New York Jets Eliminated From Playoff Contention

The New York Jets' 2023 season can finally be declared a failure. Following a 30-0 drubbing at the hands of the Miami Dolphins, the Jets have fallen to 5-9, guaranteeing a losing record on the season and officially eliminating them from playoff contention.

The Jets now have gone 13 straight seasons without making the playoffs, the longest active drought across the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB.

The Jets last made the playoffs in 2010. pic.twitter.com/zm6AFV0yox
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2023

It was a biteless, hopeless showing for the Jets on Sunday. Starter Zack Wilson exited with an injury after 15 dropbacks netted a miserable -11 yards. Replacement Trevor Siemian wasn't much better, throwing two interceptions and netting 3.25 passing yards per attempt. In the end, the Jets totalled a mere 103 yards, turned the ball over four times, and absorbed six sacks. It was easily their worst showing of the season.

This game likely puts to rest any consideration for a return for quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season. The four-time MVP has kept himself in the news by attempting a miracle comeback from a September Achilles tear. Rodgers was supposedly expected to be cleared to play later this week. It won't matter now. The Jets won't risk further injury by playing him in meaningless games.

It's for the best. Even if he's technically well enough to play, Rodgers wouldn't be likely to vastly elevate one of the league's truly awful offenses. Entering Week 15, The Jets had allowed a sack on 10.9% of their dropbacks, the second-worst mark in the league; it's bad business and team-building to risk Rodgers taking a beating. The Jets and Rodgers would both be better off prioritizing a healthy and productive 2024 season.

That will be easier said than done. If 2023 proved anything, the Jets have a lot of work to do if they want to field a competent offense. Even coming off an extended layoff and major injury at 40 years old, Rodgers should help, but he can only do so much. The Jets have averaged an NFL-worst 255.1 yards per game this season; they need to get better everywhere, not just quarterback. Or else Rodgers' final years in the NFL could end in disaster.