The New York Jets were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday following a 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. The defeat ensured the Jets will miss the postseason for the 15th consecutive year, extending the NFL’s longest active playoff drought.
New York entered the game with slim postseason hopes, but those were extinguished in a game marked by continued struggles on offense. The Jets were unable to keep pace with the high-powered Dolphins, who capitalized on several New York turnovers and defensive breakdowns to build an early lead and maintain control throughout the contest.
Quarterback instability has been a recurring challenge for the Jets this season, with multiple players seeing time under center due to injuries and inconsistent play. That turbulence continued against Miami, contributing to the team’s inability to find rhythm offensively.
Head coach Robert Saleh acknowledged the disappointment postgame, expressing his frustration with the team’s performance and stating that the organization would evaluate every aspect of the program moving forward. “We have to be better,” Saleh said. “Fifteen straight seasons without making the playoffs is not acceptable.”
The Jets’ last playoff appearance came in the 2010 season, when they reached the AFC Championship Game under then-head coach Rex Ryan. Since then, the team has cycled through several coaching changes and a handful of starting quarterbacks in its search for stability and success.
Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the team throughout the current campaign, preventing them from building momentum after a promising offseason. Despite acquiring veteran talent in key positions, the Jets have struggled to generate results on the field.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Jets will look to evaluate their roster and begin focusing on the future. Team leadership faces important decisions regarding the quarterback position and overall direction heading into the next offseason.
The franchise now turns its attention to breaking the streak in 2026, as fans and the broader football community continue to watch one of the league’s most prolonged postseason absences.
