Revolutionary New York Jets since 1960 can be described as a tale of extreme heights of glory and unfulfilling misfortunes, marked by one memorable victory and decades of unstoppable efforts to rekindle the glory again. The franchise was established in 1960 as New York Titans and reborn as Jets in 1963, the main goal of the franchise was fixed in the year 1969 with the miraculous Super Bowl III victory. The confidence that was given by Joe Namath and the fact that the team won over the Baltimore Colts did not only give New York the only and the first championship in its history, but also gave credibility to the AFL and changed the fortunes of professional football forever.
Founding & Early Years (1960–1969)
- 1960 – The franchise was founded as New York Titans, which is among the eight founding franchises of American Football League (AFL). They were owned by Harry Wismer and were in Manhattan at the Polo Grounds.
- The Titans had financial troubles, as they were sold in 1963 to a 5 man group led by Sonny Werblin at $1 million.
- 1963 –The group was renamed the New York Jets, after the fact of the connotation of flight (symbolizing the contemporary Jet Age) and their new venue at the Shea Stadium adjacent to LaGuardia Airport in Queens.
- 1965 –Jets signed up Alabama quarterback Joe Namath on a then record $427,000 contract, a move that increased the credibility of AFL.
Super Bowl III Triumph
- 1968 Season – The Jets finished with 11–3 coach under Weeb Ewbank winning the AFL Championship with the Oakland Raiders.
- January 12, 1969- Jets defeat the immensely popular Baltimore Colts (NFL champions) in Super Bowl III, 16-7.
o Joe Namath had guaranteed a win in a famous speech and this win helped to prepare the groundwork to the merger of the AFL and the NFL (merged in 1970).
- This is the only Super Bowl win and has been the most celebrated one by the Jets.
Post-Super Bowl Struggles (1970s)
- In 1970, the Jets entered the newly formed NFL yet were not very consistent.
- Damages to Namath and roster turnover caused losing seasons.
- The team experienced numerous changes of coaches such as Lou Holtz (1976) and Walt Michaels.
Rebirth and the “New York Sack Exchange (1980s).
- By the late 1970s, the Jets started to re-establish themselves on a powerful defensive line called the New York Sack Exchange:
o Mark Gastineau, Abdul Salaam, Marty Lyons, and Joe Klecko.
- 1981- The Jets ended up in the playoffs, the first time after the merger.
- 1982 – made it to the AFC Championship Game, where it lost to Miami Dolphins in their famous Mud Bowl.
The Parcells Era & 1990s
- The Jets had gone through a turbulent time in 1980s and early 1990s when there were frequent changes in coaches.
- 1997 -Billed Parcells hired and soon improved the team.
- 1998- QB Vinny Testaverde and WR Keyshawn Johnson, the Jets won 12-4 and won the AFC East division and reached the AFC Championship game where the team was defeated by the Denver Broncos.
- Parcells retired at the end of 1999.
2000s: Herman Edwards to Rex Ryan
- 2001-2005- Jets had several playoffs under coach Herman Edwards, most notable was the 2002 overtime victory over the Oakland Raiders.
- 2006-2008 – Eric Mangini achieved an unexpected playoff appearance in 2006.
- 2009–2010 – Rex Ryan era:
o Jets under the leadership of new QB Mark Sanchez made it to 2 consecutive AFC championships, beating teams such as the Patriots and Chargers in playoff tours that people will remember.
o Lost to the Indianapolis Colts (2009) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2010).
2011–2018: Decline & Rebuild
- After 2010 Jets have survived years of turmoil:
o QB problems (Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick).
o Change in coach (Rex Ryan was fired in 2014, Todd Bowles was hired and fired in 2018).
- 2015- Fitzpatrick missed the playoffs and led a 10-6 season.
- Even after the drafting of high-profile players (e.g. Sam Darnold), the success was not achieved.
Recent Years (2019–Present)
- 2019-2020 – Adam Gase reign of low performance and internal crisis.
- 2021- Jets undergo another rebuild with the hiring of Robert Saleh as head coach and the drafting of QB Zach Wilson (No. 2 overall).
- 2022- Rookie CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson both won NFL Rookie of the Year awards and have potential, although they collapsed in the end of the season.
- 2023 – The Jets made their biggest trade in acquiring future Hall of Fame QB Aaron Rodgers in an incredible deal with the Green Bay Packers.
o Rodgers was derailed in high playoff hopes by tearing his Achilles in Week 1, even though the team had a strong defense.
- 2024-2025- The Jets are still in the process of developing a young core (Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, Sauce Gardner) with Rodgers set to be back.
Franchise Highlights
- Super Bowl victories: 1 (1968 season, Super Bowl III)
- Championships: the AFC 0 (since merger)
- Division Titles: 4 (last in 2002)
- Playoff Appearances: 14 (last in 2010)
- Distinctive Personalities: Joe Namath, Curtis Martin, Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, Darrelle Revis, Kevin Mawae, Nick Mangold.
Legacy
The Jets are still one of the most recognized franchises in the NFL because of:
- Their contribution in the legitimization of the AFL by winning the Super Bowl III.
- A New York fan base that was passionate and starving with a second title.
- Old enmities with New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants.
Conclusion
However, the years to come promoted the Jets as the team of promises. The team was unable to reclaim its lost glory despite brief bursts of brilliance including the New York Sack Exchange terrorizing crimes in the early 80s, almost reaching the Super Bowl in 1998 with Bill Parcells and Rex Yan fearless teams and their subsequent back to back AFC Championship Game appearances in 2009 and 2010. Rebuilds under one coach and quarterback changes and coaching changes has challenged one of the most fanatical fan bases in the NFL, leaving their single Super Bowl trophy as a source of pride and reminder of a long dry spell.
The Jets are still not done yet, but their legacy is already in place: a team that changed the history of football and still struggles, year after year, to show that their most significant win was not a miracle, one-time only, but the start of a process that is yet in its progress.
Also read- Priceless Indianapolis Colts since 1953