New-York-Jets-fans
Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
There are some professional sports franchises that test their fans more than others. Teams like the Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, and the Charlotte Hornets immediately come to mind. New York Jets fans, however, might be the fan base that has suffered the most.
The levels of incompetency shown by the New York Jets over the past several decades is hard to match. They are so far ahead of the next team on the list of playoff droughts in the NFL that it’s almost impressive.
It’s been 15 years since the New York Jets made the playoffs, losing in the 2010 AFC Championship. The next longest NFL playoff droughts are held by the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers at eight years.
The Panthers at least made the Super Bowl in 2015, and the Falcons got there in 2016. The Jets haven’t been to a Super Bowl since Joe Namath called his shot following the 1968 season. The Jets were still in the American Football League at that point. That’s how long it has been.
Fox broadcaster Ross Tucker was impressed with New York Jets fans
On Sunday, the Jets stumbled and bumbled their way to a 29-6 drubbing at the hands of the 4-10 New Orleans Saints. New York is now 3-12 and has been outscored 426 to 282 in 2025. So, it’s pretty amazing that anyone shows up for Jets games at this point.
“I’m incredibly impressed by Jets fans,” NFL on Fox broadcaster Tucker said when the Jets were down 19-6 in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. “Just how loyal and dedicated they are with that return on investment. 15 years without a playoff berth…
“There’s actually a decent amount of Jets fans here. I mean, you see them on social media. You talk with them. Most of the ones I talk to have a very realistic perspective of where they’re at and what they want, but they continue to support this team without getting a whole lot in return.”
“We respectfully decline this praise,” one Jets fan replied to video of Tucker’s comments.
“When we win it’ll all be worth it,” another much more optimistic Jets fan wrote.