The New England Patriots switched head coaches in back-to-back seasons before landing Mike Vrabel in 2025, and fans know exactly why. When you finish behind the bitter rival New York Jets in the AFC East, no one’s job should be safe.
The Jets are the benchmark for franchise-wide dysfunction — as in, you better not fall below that mark. They haven’t had a winning season since their random Ryan Fitz-Magic year in 2015, now a decade-long drought and counting. Their 2025 season featured some doozies like going the entire 17-game slate without recording an interception. They also traded away their two best defenders, Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, an interesting decision after hiring the defensive-minded Aaron Glenn as head coach.
In the eyes of Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, the Jets’ downward trend could get even worse in 2026 — or better if you’re a fan of the Patriots. In his latest bold predictions column, he picked the Jets to become the first team in NFL history to go winless in a 17-game season.
“An offense that finished last season 29th in both yards per game and points per game will be led in 2026 by journeyman Geno Smith, who struggled badly in Las Vegas. A defense that allowed more points than any team in the AFC also has significant questions at all three levels.”
On the bright side for the Patriots: The Jets are unlikely to achieve a winning season anytime soon
The Jets are really leaning into the 2027 tankathon, as trading for 35-year-old quarterback Geno Smith ended up being their master plan this offseason. They’ll field a young team this year featuring three first-round rookies in edge David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
They’re clearly on a path to one of the top two or three picks in the 2027 NFL Draft, with Davenport’s projection obviously landing them at No. 1. Patriots fans aren’t going to love watching the Jets land a top 2027 quarterback prospect like Arch Manning, Dante Moore, or Julian Sayin, but we’ve all seen this movie before (and it’s hilarious).
From the 2018 through 2022 drafts alone, the Jets used top-four overall draft picks on quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson, as well as both Gardner and Williams. None of those four players are on the current roster, and Darnold just won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks.
As long as Woody Johnson owns the Jets, Patriots fans can bank on that dumpster fire remaining ablaze. An 0-17 season would only serve as gasoline, and for a franchise that appears to have no interest in entering win-now mode, Davenport's idea isn't as far-fetched as it seems.
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