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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Jets owner Woody Johnson entered the losing locker room prior to the conclusion of Sunday’s game against the Dolphins.
He stood at the entranceway, attempting to comprehend how his team had missed the playoffs for the 12th consecutive season, the longest active drought in the NFL. When the Jets won in Pittsburgh, Green Bay, and Denver, when they defeated the Bills at home, and when they defeated the Bears on Thanksgiving weekend, it felt like this was the year.
Then, catastrophe struck. Sunday’s 11-6 loss to the Dolphins was the final game in a terrible season for the Jets, who had previously lost six consecutive games.
Johnson and the Jets will once again be at home for the playoffs. He stood by the entrance and shook the hands of every player and coach as they exited the field for the final time in 2022. The search for answers about what occurred in 2023 and how they might be improved continues now.
On Sunday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh lost to the Dolphins.
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In his press conference following the 7-10 loss, Jets head coach Robert Saleh issued an apology to Johnson.
“I apologize to everyone, Woody, Christopher [Johnson], all the players, all the coaches, and all the fans,” Saleh stated before identifying further team executives.
“Because I know it’s been a long, long trip not being in the playoffs, and I know it was in our grasp, but we’re not going. Nonetheless, I recognize that we’ve made significant progress over the past two years, and I’m optimistic for what lies ahead. When the dust settles and we look back on the season, we’ll be excited about what we have to give, kicking off the offseason the proper way, and bringing us back into this position where we have a chance to clinch and make the playoffs.”
Sunday found Jets owner Woody Johnson on the field in Miami.
AP
Numerous missteps were made by the Jets during this season. The Jets were thrown off by injuries to star running back Breece Hall and offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. They were devastated by the play of second-year quarterback Zach Wilson. The team was finished when Wilson’s successor, Mike White, sustained broken ribs in Buffalo in December.
The Jets finished the season with a six-game losing skid, the first time since 1996 that this has occurred. In the last three games, they failed to score a touchdown. The offensive incompetence of the Jets is astounding. Only four touchdowns were scored in their final six games. All season, they scored only two touchdowns in the first quarter.
“It doesn’t seem real,” tight end Tyler Conklin said. “How might such a collapse occur? I’m not sure.”
The Jets have grounds for optimism. Their rookie class appears to provide a foundation for years to come. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson could be named Rookie of the Year on Defense and Offense, respectively. Prior to injuring his ACL, Hall was well on his way to a successful rookie campaign. The defense was among the league’s finest. The Jets won seven games, one more than they did in the previous two combined seasons.
Saleh stated, “I know what kind of team we have, and I get it, I get the outside noise and everything else.” “I understand the disappointment of a six-game losing streak, but the silver lining is that we have an incredible core group of guys, and I’m really excited for this offseason, really excited to see them take off, and we’ll get this chance again, and we’ve got to go finish.”
Will offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur return to the Jets after presiding over this offensive disaster, and who will be their quarterback? The Jets have stated their commitment to Wilson, but he cannot be their starting quarterback until 2023. White is unrestricted. The Jets will consider signing a veteran quarterback, either Jimmy Garoppolo or Derek Carr.
After Sunday’s setback, the Jets were already discussing next season and attempting to end a playoff drought that has reached puberty.
Gardner stated, “We want to win, so this is extremely frustrating.” “At this point, we can no longer linger on the past. This offseason must be attacked without hesitation. Next year at this time, we will be in the playoffs.”
»Robert Saleh apologizes for the Jets’ demise: ‘Was right in our fingertips’«