The Jets wrapped up a tough 3-14 season on Monday, with players clearing out their lockers after suffering a fifth consecutive loss to Buffalo. Many team members who addressed the media expressed support for coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mousey, conveying a sense of hope for the future. With considerable cap space and four picks in the early rounds of the draft, there are reasons to be optimistic.
Fourth-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert shared, “I’m pretty confident that we’re going to turn this thing around. I know it sounds easy to say, but we believe we have the right pieces in place. We have strong leadership, and I’m genuinely excited to be part of it. There are definitely things we need to address in the offseason, and we need to act on them immediately.”
The Jets hold the record for the longest playoff drought in North American sports, missing the postseason for 15 years, which casts a shadow over both the team and its supporters. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, acquired via trade in August, urged fans not to blame current players and coaches for the organization’s historical struggles.
“I understand the frustration after 15 years, but for those of us new to the franchise, this is our first year, so please be patient with us,” Phillips said.
Throughout this challenging season, Glenn faced intense scrutiny, especially given the team’s lackluster performances. Yet players rallied behind him, asking fans to trust in his leadership.
“We can’t just restart everything,” Phillips noted. “But it’s essential to express belief in the head coach and the general manager. This was just year one. It’s unrealistic to expect all the answers right off the bat.”
Center Josh Myers, who previously played for the Packers, echoed similar sentiments about Glenn, despite the team’s disappointing track record this year.
“I’m frustrated with how everything unfolded; it wasn’t what we hoped for,” Myers admitted. “Still, I’m encouraged. I believe in AG and what he stands for. I’ve seen enough good leaders to know he’s one of them. I believe next year can be different.”
Myers highlighted that while progress may not be evident from the outside, Glenn is working on building a solid foundation.
“It might take another year for his culture to really take hold, which I think will be crucial for a turnaround,” he said. “I truly believe in the culture he’s creating. We have a lot to look forward to—players coming back from injuries, and a promising draft ahead.”
The 2025 Jets season will likely go down as one of the worst in the franchise’s history—unique for being the first in NFL history without an interception and suffering a staggering 134-point differential over the final five games.
“Looking at those statistics from the last few weeks, no one wants to claim them, but sadly we have to,” Phillips commented. “They speak to a painful reality.”
As the 2026 season approaches, changes to the roster and coaching staff will fall to Glenn and Mousey. Pending free agent guard John Simpson voiced his desire to remain part of the rebuilding process.
“I want to play a role in getting this program off the ground,” Simpson said. “That’s why they brought me in initially. We haven’t found success over the last couple of years, but I firmly believe we can turn this around quickly, and I want to be involved.”
