The New York Jets have had a challenging journey over the past 15 years, and their struggles have recently culminated in a less-than-ideal record: they now hold the title for the longest active playoff drought in North American professional sports.
With 15 consecutive seasons without playoff appearances, the Jets previously shared this dubious distinction with the Buffalo Sabres. However, the Sabres recently clinched a playoff spot, thus leaving the Jets standing alone at the bottom. Given the NFL’s structure, designed for parity and improvement of low-performing teams through higher draft picks, it seems almost surreal that the Jets have managed to remain stagnant.
Now that the Jets have this unenviable title, it’s an appropriate time to examine the longest active playoff droughts in the NFL and assess each team’s likelihood of breaking their streaks in the upcoming season.
Current Longest Active Playoff Droughts in the NFL
- Jets (15 seasons): Last played in the playoffs in 2010
- Falcons (8 seasons): Last played in the playoffs in 2017
- Colts (5 seasons): Last played in the playoffs in 2020
- Saints (5 seasons): Last played in the playoffs in 2020
With these teams in mind, let’s rank their potential chances of ending their playoff droughts in the upcoming season.
4. Jets
The Jets’ previous season ended with a disheartening 3-14 record. However, history shows that teams can dramatically improve their fortunes; since the NFL extended its schedule to 17 games in 2021, there have been multiple cases of teams with poor records rising to playoff contention the next year. For example:
- Giants improved from 4-13 in 2021 to make the playoffs in 2022.
- Texans went from 3-13-1 in 2022 to clinching a playoff spot in 2023.
- Commanders transitioned from 4-13 in 2023 to playoff qualification in 2024.
- Patriots, also from a 4-13 season in 2024, made the playoffs in 2025.
What these successful turnaround teams had in common was a change in coaching. The Jets, however, are sticking with Aaron Glenn, a decision that may come back to haunt them. On a positive note, they have made strides in bolstering their defense, acquiring talents like Minkah Fitzpatrick and T’Vondre Sweat, along with seasoned players such as Nahshon Wright and Demario Davis. Unfortunately, their offensive unit still raises concerns, particularly after adding quarterback Geno Smith. While he may offer some improvement, it doesn’t seem like a game-changing move that could lead them to the playoffs this year.
3. Colts
The Colts initially surprised everyone in the first half of the 2025 season, boasting an impressive 8-2 record. However, injuries, particularly to quarterback Daniel Jones, derailed their season, leading to a streak of seven consecutive losses. The Colts’ chances largely depend on Jones and how well he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon sustained in December. Although he’s optimistic about returning by Week 1, such injuries can have lasting effects.
If Jones is fit, he’ll need to not only regain form but also replicate previous successes. The Colts have placed a hefty bet on his performance with a lucrative two-year, $88 million contract. However, his victories came against weaker teams, and coupled with a division that’s becoming increasingly competitive, the Colts may find it daunting to move past their drought.
2. Saints
The Saints appear to have a promising outlook heading into the 2026 season. They finished only two games behind first place in the NFC South last year and have made significant upgrades to their roster. Adding standout players like guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne exemplifies their commitment to improvement. Their offense’s success hinges on Tyler Shough stepping up as a capable quarterback. His strong performance down the stretch last season gives hope for a rebound.
The team’s strategy involves playing in a highly competitive but winnable division, making their path to ending the playoff drought relatively feasible. With a potential requirement of only eight or nine wins to claim the NFC South title, the Saints are well-positioned for a playoff berth.
1. Falcons
Having ranked the Falcons at the top might seem unexpected, but they narrowly missed playoff contention last year, finishing 8-9 and tying for first in the NFC South. With new coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa onboard, they have real potential to turn around their fortunes. The kicker position had been a significant weakness last season, as they cycled through three different players with inconsistent results. The addition of veteran Nick Folk should resolve these issues, providing a stable scoring option.
Boasting a talented offensive core, including Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London, the Falcons are capable of making a strong push for the playoffs. If they can achieve consistent quarterback play, they will likely be in the mix for a postseason spot and could even contend for the division title.
In summary, as we head into the new NFL season, each of these teams has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. The Jets are in a precarious position, while the Colts and Saints have potential but face hurdles. The Falcons, with their recent changes, appear to be best equipped to break their playoff drought. The upcoming season promises to be intriguing for these long-suffering franchises.
