The New York Jets now stand alone.
The Buffalo Sabres have ended their 14-year playoff drought in the NHL. On Saturday, April 4, Buffalo clinched a berth when the New York Rangers beat the Detroit Red Wings.
That ends one of the longest active playoff droughts in North American major sports. Which now leaves the Jets as the active playoff drought leader on the continent.
The green and white haven’t made the playoffs since the 2010 season. They have missed the postseason for 15 consecutive years, which is not only the longest active drought in North American sports, but it is also the longest futility mark in franchise history.
Top Social Media Reactions to a New Low for the Jets
ESPN radio host Jake Asman posted, “One day the Jets will end their playoff drought, and we all will feel like this. Good for the Sabres.”
“For eight to nine months per year, the New York Jets and Buffalo Sabres shared the ignominious title of ‘longest active playoff drought in North American sports.’ No longer are they linked in infamy, as the Sabres clinched a playoff berth Saturday to snap their 14-year postseason drought — the longest in NHL history — with six games to spare. The Jets are still going, at 15 years,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained.
“The Jets’ slump has spanned: Five full-time head coaches: Ryan, Todd Bowles, Adam Gase, Robert Saleh, and Aaron Glenn. Five general managers: Mike Tannenbaum, John Idzik, Mike Maccagnan, Joe Douglas, and Darren Mougey. One owner: Woody Johnson,” Cimini wrote.
“And with the Buffalo Sabres clinching a playoff spot for the first time since I was a fourth grader, the New York Jets stand alone as the professional sports with the longest active playoff drought. My sincere condolences to Jets fans,” a fan responded on X.
Speaking of Buffalo…
The Jets haven’t been to the playoffs since the 2010 season. During that span of 15 seasons, the Jets have only had one winning season.
That came over a decade ago in 2015. The Jets finished with a 10-6 record. A record of that level is typically good enough to make the postseason, but it wasn’t that year.
The Jets started the year 10-5, and the mission was simple heading into the regular season finale in Buffalo against the Bills: win and you’re in.
If the Jets had beaten the Bills, they would have made the playoffs. Spoiler alert, they didn’t.
Gang Green lost 22-17 to Buffalo. Ryan Fitzpatrick imploded for the Jets, tossing three interceptions. Tyrod Taylor was the starting QB for the Bills, and Rex Ryan was the head coach.
After missing out on the playoffs in that painful fashion, the Jets haven’t been close to ending their drought since.
A Special Mission
Head coach Aaron Glenn takes this drought personally.
He isn’t responsible for this 15-year playoff drought. He was only directly responsible for one of those seasons of missing the postseason.
Glenn explained at the Annual League Meetings how often he thinks about turning this ship around.
“Every day,” Glenn responded. “I really, really think about this. This is not just coach speak. How do I utilize every player that we have on this roster to help us be successful? What are the things that I have to do to make sure we get over that hump, because I have been a part of it? There’s no better feeling in the world. There’s not a day, not an hour, not a minute I don’t think about that. I look forward to trying to make that happen.”
Jets Historic Drought Reaches New Low After Massive News