By Rachel Martinez
The Appleton Times
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Jets closed out their 2025 season on a historically dismal note, suffering a 35-8 thrashing at the hands of the Buffalo Bills on Sunday at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. This defeat not only capped a campaign marred by futility but also etched the Jets into the NFL record books for all the wrong reasons, becoming the first team in league history to lose five consecutive games by margins of at least 23 points.
According to reports from Fox News, the Jets' point differential over those final five outings stood at a staggering -134, with an average loss of 26.8 points per game. This streak surpassed a previous mark set in 1972, when no team had endured four straight defeats by 23 or more points. The Bills' victory highlighted the Jets' defensive woes, as Buffalo's offense piled on points while New York's unit failed to generate any meaningful resistance.
The season-ending loss marked the Jets' 14th defeat of the year, a total the franchise has now reached three times in the last three decades—previously under coaches Rich Kotite in 1995 and Adam Gase in 2020. With a final record of 3-14, as confirmed by multiple outlets including Fox News, the Jets finished near the bottom of the AFC East, underscoring a year of upheaval under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn.
Glenn, who took over the sidelines in the offseason, watched from the coaching box as his team struggled from the opening whistle. The Jets' inability to secure even a single interception throughout the entire 17-game schedule stands as another unwelcome milestone. Fox News noted that while the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the season extended a streak to 15 consecutive games without an interception—dating back to 2024—that run eventually ended. The Jets, however, pushed the boundaries further, completing the year without a pick in any contest.
The quarterback carousel added to the chaos. Justin Fields started the season but was benched midway through after inconsistent performances. Tyrod Taylor stepped in as his replacement but suffered an injury, paving the way for rookie Brady Cook to helm the offense in the final weeks. None of the trio could steady the ship, as the Jets' passing game faltered amid a porous offensive line and lackluster protection.
Defensively, the situation deteriorated to the point that the Jets traded away two of their cornerstone players at the October trade deadline. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were dealt to the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, in exchange for draft capital. According to Fox News, the Jets acquired the Colts' 2026 first-round pick and the Cowboys' 2026 second-round selection. Both acquiring teams missed the playoffs, potentially elevating the value of those picks in a draft rich with quarterback talent.
The trades, executed on October 29, 2025, signaled a full rebuild under general manager Darren Mougey. Gardner, a three-time Pro Bowler, had been a shutdown presence since his 2022 debut, while Williams anchored the front four with his disruptive play. Their departures left glaring holes, contributing to the defensive collapse that defined the season's latter half.
Looking back, the Jets' struggles were evident early on. In their Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins on September 29 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, Fields and Glenn stood together during the national anthem, a moment captured by photographers that now symbolizes unfulfilled promise. The team managed just three wins all season, against lesser opponents, but couldn't string together momentum.
An international outing in London against the Denver Broncos on October 12 provided a brief change of scenery, but the result was another loss, with Glenn observing from the sidelines as the Jets' defense leaked yards. By December 28, in a home game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the writing was on the wall. Evan Bernstein's Getty Images photo from that contest shows Glenn's stoic expression amid a crowd of frustrated fans.
The broader context of the NFL in 2025 included several gambling controversies, as highlighted in related Fox News coverage, with investigations in the NBA and MLB dominating headlines. For the Jets, however, the focus remained internal: a roster in flux and a fanbase weary of mediocrity. The franchise, long derided as a punchline in league circles, lived up to that reputation this year, with the 35-8 finale serving as a painful exclamation point.
Despite the gloom, glimmers of hope emerge in the draft. Securing the No. 2 overall pick positions the Jets to target a franchise quarterback—perhaps a prospect like the highly touted Arch Manning or another rising star from the college ranks. Combined with the additional picks from the Gardner and Williams trades, Mougey has ammunition to reshape the roster.
Questions swirl around Glenn's future. Hired with expectations of injecting fresh energy after a disappointing 2024, his tenure ended with the team mired in defeat. Mougey must weigh whether to retain the 43-year-old coach, who previously served as the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator, or seek a new voice to lead the rebuild.
Fans and analysts alike will scrutinize the offseason moves. The Jets' ownership, under Woody Johnson, has a history of bold decisions, from high-profile hires to splashy free-agent signings. Yet, this season's rock bottom may force a more patient approach, prioritizing youth and development over quick fixes.
As the NFL turns its attention to the playoffs—where the Bills advanced as AFC contenders—the Jets retreat to the drawing board. Their 2025 campaign, defined by records of futility, serves as a cautionary tale in a league where parity is the norm. For now, the focus shifts to 2026, where redemption could begin with smarter drafting and strategic hires.
In the end, the Jets' season was a masterclass in what not to do, from quarterback instability to defensive trades that accelerated a teardown. Mougey faces his biggest test yet: turning draft assets into a competitive core. Until then, Gang Green remains a symbol of NFL perseverance amid adversity.