The New York Jets are in the middle of the longest playoff drought in franchise history.
So, what is the worst possible case in a nightmare scenario in 2026? Winning too much. Wait what?
“Geno Smith and a talented offensive core do just enough to keep a team in desperate need of a new potential franchise quarterback out of a primo draft slot, forcing New York to contemplate trading away its three first-rounders for a roll of the dice atop Round 1,” Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report wrote.
Last season, the Jets started 0-7 en route to a horrible 3-14 campaign. They were terrible, but not bad enough to earn the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The Jets were the butt of jokes.
Heading into 2026, the Jets could surprise people by winning games. With a fully loaded quarterback 2027 NFL draft class that would be bad news, apparently.
This False Narrative Needs to Be Stopped Immediately
The Jets have been .500 or worse in 14 of the last 15 seasons. Gang Green hasn’t been in the playoffs since the 2010 season.
Finally, this offseason, there is some optimism that the team could turn it around this season and be competitive.
A quick message to the fans: don’t be afraid of winning. You have endured a lot of pain, suffering, and emotional damage. You shouldn’t feel bad if suddenly your Godforsaken team starts winning.
Especially since the narrative isn’t true. If the Jets only had their own first-round pick next year, perhaps there would be some merit to the nightmare scenario. In that scenario, if the Jets won, they would take themselves out of the running for a top quarterback as opposed to losing and putting themselves in a better position.
However, the Jets have mutliple first round lottery tickets next year.
The Jets Can Have Their Cake and Eat It Too
ESPN New York’s Jake Asman said, “I do think there is a path for the Jets to win eight or nine games. It’s not crazy.”
That could happen, and the Jets could get lucky. They also own the Indianapolis Colts first round pick and whatever ends up being the better pick between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers.
In other words, the Jets have three whacks at the piñata.
According to Vegas Insider, the Packers’ over/under win total is set at 10.5, and the Colts/Cowboys’ over/under win total is set at 8.5.
It should be noted that no one truly knows how anyone will perform. Here is a good example. In 2020, the Jets pulled off a blockbuster trade, shipping off All-Pro defensive back Jamal Adams to the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks pulled off that move because they were considered to be a Super Bowl contender, and this would get them over the top.
The first rounder they sent to the Jets in 2022 became the No. 10 overall pick. Gang Green selected star wide receiver Garrett Wilson with that pick. In other words, sometimes you get lucky.
That’s why they play the games.
So to reiterate, the Jets could surprisingly win more games than you think in 2026, and one of those other first-round picks that they control could end up being better than you think, which could deliver a potential franchise quarterback.
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