ClutchPoints
The New York Jets appear headed in a positive direction with Aaron Glenn at the helm following the humiliating debacle that was the 2024 season (and all the miserable years that preceded it). The Jets’ new leader is emphasizing culture. Glenn isn’t promising a miraculous turnaround. Instead of slapping paint on the exterior, he’s trying to fix a rotten foundation. It’s a level-headed approach to team building but it takes time. And if there’s one thing that football fans hate, it’s anything that takes time.
Fortunately, fans don’t have to wait for scorching-hot takes as the NFL generates opinions year-round. Here are three particularly hot Jets takes to ponder at the start of summer.
Please take a minute to allow your eyes to adjust through the tears of laughter. All good? OK. Yes, that’s a real thing that someone said. And that someone is former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.
Now, it should be noted that Johnson started his career with the Jets (although that didn’t exactly end well). And he is friendly with Glenn, as they were teammates in New York for four seasons. Johnson even prefaced his prediction by acknowledging that “I am a homer and I am a good friend of Aaron Glenn.” But the pick wasn’t just a tongue-in-check throwaway aimed at flattering his buddy or the fanbase.
Johnson spent a couple minutes discussing the changes New York made to its coaching staff and roster this offseason, concluding that he’s “high on the Jets” and picking the woebegone franchise to finish first in the division.
Now, there are hot takes and then there are hot takes. And this, friends, is the latter. The Jets last won the AFC East 23 years ago – in 2002 (with a 9-7 record by the way). That was one of two times New York has won the division since the merger in 1970.
Forget winning the division, the Jets haven’t reached the playoffs in 14 years. Their last winning season came in 2015, which was also the last time the team finished better than third in the AFC East.
There’s really no need to pile on with all the reasons the Jets absolutely will not win the division in 2025. But here are a couple more.
The Jets have gone a miserable 16-44 against AFC East opponents since 2015. They’re 6-24 against their division rivals over the last five seasons, including a 2-4 finish in 2024. The Buffalo Bills have dominated in recent years, winning the AFC East five straight seasons. And there’s no reason to assume that will change with Josh Allen coming off an MVP campaign.
But even if Buffalo falters, the Miami Dolphins have finished second each year since Mike McDaniel became head coach in 2022. Additionally, the New England Patriots appear much improved. The team hired Mike Vrabel as its head coach this offseason and added wideout Stefon Diggs as a weapon for talented second-year quarterback...
