- May 21, 2026
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The Jets missing the playoffs in 2025 was nothing new as the team hasn't advanced to the postseason since 2010, but the path they took to 3-14 had at least one unique aspect.
They became the first team to complete an entire NFL season without their defense intercepting a pass by an opposing quarterback. It's a new season, but cornerback Brandon Stephens said this month that the ignominious record has served as some motivation for the team as they prepare for the fall.
"It's hard to believe that could happen, but it happened," Stephens said, via the team's website. "At the end of the season, you keep it in the back of your mind, but you flush it so it doesn't happen again. All the guys are taking it personally because it's part of our nature."
The Jets traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, signed cornerback Nahshon Wright and drafted cornerback DeAngelo Ponds in an effort to boost their chances of turning over opponents more often in 2026. That alone won't get them back into the playoffs, but it would make such an outcome look a little more likely.
They became the first team to complete an entire NFL season without their defense intercepting a pass by an opposing quarterback. It's a new season, but cornerback Brandon Stephens said this month that the ignominious record has served as some motivation for the team as they prepare for the fall.
"It's hard to believe that could happen, but it happened," Stephens said, via the team's website. "At the end of the season, you keep it in the back of your mind, but you flush it so it doesn't happen again. All the guys are taking it personally because it's part of our nature."
The Jets traded for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, signed cornerback Nahshon Wright and drafted cornerback DeAngelo Ponds in an effort to boost their chances of turning over opponents more often in 2026. That alone won't get them back into the playoffs, but it would make such an outcome look a little more likely.