Change is Needed in New York as the Jets’ Playoff Hopes Fade
Woody Johnson
Any adjustments the New York Jets made during their bye week will prove inadequate and untimely. Robert Saleh is out, Joe Douglas is out, and so are the Jets’ playoff hopes and the 2024 season.
Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich aimed to use the bye week to evaluate the organization thoroughly. He repeated the phrase “hard look” eight times during his Week 11 press conference after a 28-27 loss, which dropped the Jets to a dismal 3-8 record.
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A perfect record remains a far-fetched hope.
The Jets have consistently failed to meet expectations. Even with a perfect post-bye record, a 9-8 finish wouldn’t guarantee a playoff berth in the AFC. Moreover, New York has shown no signs of stringing together six consecutive victories, particularly with two games against the Miami Dolphins and one against the Buffalo Bills left to play.
Home losses to inexperienced quarterbacks Bo Nix and Anthony Richardson further underline their struggles. As a result, the Jets trail both the Denver Broncos (6-5) and the Colts (5-6) in AFC standings and lack the tiebreaker against either team.
Jets’ Position Before Their Bye Week
Currently 11th in the AFC playoff race, the Jets are separated from the final playoff spot by four teams. Besides the Broncos and Colts, the Dolphins (4-6) and Bengals (4-7) also loom on their remaining schedule.
According to NFL odds, the Jets’ playoff chances have plummeted to 1 percent.
Jets’ Postseason Probability: Just 1%
Based on NFL Next Gen Stats, the Jets’ playoff hopes are virtually nonexistent.
AFC East
| Team | Division % | Remaining Opponents |
| Bills (9-2) | 99% | BYE, 49ers, Rams, Tigers, Patriots, Jets |
| Dolphins (4-6) | 1% | Patriots, Packers, Jets, Texans, 49ers, Browns |
| Jets (3-8) | 1% | BYE, Seahawks, Dolphins, Jaguars, Rams, Bills |
| Patriots (3-8) | 1% | Dolphins, Colts, BYE, Cardinals, Bills |
Despite the Dolphins’ slight playoff hopes, their odds of surpassing the Bills in the division remain minuscule (0.04%). The Jets, meanwhile, are one loss—or a Bills win—away from permanent elimination.
A Full Organizational Overhaul is Necessary
Remember when Bill Belichick resigned before taking the Jets job due to ownership under Woody and Christopher Johnson? Perhaps he foresaw the dysfunction. Misplaced faith in a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers and impatience with Saleh have backfired spectacularly.
Heading into their 14th straight season without a playoff appearance, the Jets will likely undergo a complete overhaul. Johnson once called this his best team in 25 years of ownership, but the results speak otherwise.
The team’s identity has vanished.
For nearly two seasons, the Jets boasted one of the league’s top defenses. Now, under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich, they allow 26 points and 349 yards per game compared to Saleh’s 17 points and 256 yards in the first five games. Despite juggling head coaching and defensive coordinator duties, Ulbrich refuses to delegate, believing his involvement ensures continuity.
Jets’ Issues Stem from Leadership
Rash decisions, impulsive firings, and impatience define the Jets’ management.
New York began the 2024 season with Super Bowl aspirations. While the team has the talent, NFL success demands more than skill. The Jets have only three wins in three months and are now led by an interim head coach and general manager.
Reports consistently highlight the turmoil surrounding the Jets’ disastrous season.
The team opened 2-3 under Saleh. Since his firing, Ulbrich has guided them to five losses in six games, including defeats to underperforming teams.
Ultimately, no amount of talent can overcome ownership dysfunction. Until Woody Johnson steps aside, no general manager, coach, or Hall of Fame player will break the team’s 14-year playoff drought—the longest active streak in major North American sports.