The New York Jets have struggled for consistency over the last decade and a half, but they have officially reached a new milestone—one they would likely prefer to avoid. Following recent developments in the NHL, the Jets now hold the longest active postseason drought in North American professional sports.
For 15 consecutive seasons, the Jets have failed to secure a playoff berth. Heading into the 2025 campaign, they were neck-and-neck with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres for this unfortunate distinction. However, with the Sabres recently clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to end their 14-year skid, New York now stands alone at the top of the list.
In a league designed for parity through draft priority and scheduling, the Jets’ inability to break through is statistically remarkable. While the NFL is structured to help struggling franchises rebuild quickly, New York has remained in a state of perpetual rebuilding for 15 years.
With the Jets now officially under the microscope, it is time to examine the longest active playoff droughts across the NFL and evaluate which teams have the best chance to snap their losing streaks this season.
Evaluating the NFL’s Longest Active Postseason Absences
Success in the NFL moves fast, evidenced by the fact that 28 of the 32 teams in the league have made at least one playoff appearance in the last five years. Only four franchises remain on the outside looking in during that window:
- New York Jets (15 seasons): Last qualified in 2010.
- Atlanta Falcons (8 seasons): Last qualified in 2017.
- Indianapolis Colts (5 seasons): Last qualified in 2020.
- New Orleans Saints (5 seasons): Last qualified in 2020.
Below is a ranking of these four teams based on their likelihood of ending their playoff drought in the upcoming season.
4. New York Jets
After a dismal 3-14 finish last year, the Jets are hoping for a historic turnaround. Statistically, it is possible; since the NFL moved to a 17-game schedule in 2021, a team with four or fewer wins has made the playoffs the following year for four straight seasons. Recent examples include the Giants, Texans, Commanders, and Patriots.
However, those four teams all shared a specific catalyst: they hired a new head coach. The Jets have opted for continuity, retaining Aaron Glenn. While Glenn’s defensive expertise is well-regarded, the decision to stay the course rather than reset the leadership could be a gamble. The front office did provide Glenn with defensive reinforcements, acquiring Minkah Fitzpatrick and T’Vondre Sweat via trade, alongside signings like Demario Davis and Joseph Ossai.
The primary concern remains the offense. While the trade for Geno Smith provides a veteran presence, it is debated whether he offers a high enough ceiling to navigate a gauntlet-style AFC. Unless the offense takes a massive leap forward, the Jets face an uphill battle to end their 15-year wait.
3. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were a major storyline early in 2025, racing to an 8-2 start before a season-ending injury to Daniel Jones derailed their momentum. The team cratered down the stretch, losing seven straight games and missing the postseason entirely.
The Colts’ 2026 outlook depends almost entirely on Jones’ recovery from a torn Achilles. While the quarterback is optimistic about a Week 1 return, an Achilles injury is notoriously difficult for mobile players to overcome. Beyond the health concerns, Indy is making a massive financial bet, owing Jones $50 million in 2026 as part of a two-year, $88 million deal.
Skeptics point to the fact that most of Jones’ wins last year came against sub-.500 teams, while he struggled against elite competition. Furthermore, the roster has seen a significant talent drain this offseason, losing key starters like Michael Pittman, Braden Smith, and Kwity Paye. Competing in a division featuring a rising Jaguars team and a powerhouse Texans squad makes the road to 11 wins—the likely threshold for an AFC wildcard—extremely difficult.
2. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans enters 2026 with significant momentum. They finished just two games shy of the NFC South title last year and have been aggressive in the transfer and free agency markets. The addition of David Edwards bolsters the offensive line, while the arrival of Travis Etienne gives the Saints one of the most explosive backfields in the conference.
The key to a postseason return lies with quarterback Tyler Shough. After a strong finish to the previous season—where the Saints won four of their last five games—Shough appears to be finding his rhythm under offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. The Saints’ late-season surge included pivotal victories over division rivals Tampa Bay and Carolina.
Playing in the NFC South is New Orleans’ greatest advantage. Unlike the crowded AFC, the NFC South may only require nine wins to secure a division title, making the Saints a legitimate threat to end their five-year drought by winning the crown outright.
1. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are the top candidates to break their playoff drought, largely because they were a few accurate kicks away from doing so last year. Atlanta finished 2025 with an 8-9 record, tied for the best in the division, but missed out on tiebreakers. This offseason, they have overhauled their leadership and specialist units by bringing in head coach Kevin Stefanski, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and veteran kicker Nick Folk.
The addition of Folk cannot be overstated. In 2025, Atlanta rotated through three different kickers, all of whom missed high-leverage field goals or extra points that resulted in one-score losses to the Buccaneers, Patriots, and Jets. Had Atlanta won just one of those games, they would have been the NFC South champions. Folk brings much-needed stability to the position as one of the league’s most accurate specialists.
With an offense featuring elite young talent like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, the Falcons only need competent quarterback play to become the favorites in their division. Under Stefanski’s guidance, Atlanta is primed to finally return to January football.
Summary of the NFL Postseason Outlook
While the New York Jets currently carry the heaviest historical burden in North American sports, the landscape of the NFL allows for rapid shifts in fortune. The Falcons and Saints appear best positioned to capitalize on a wide-open NFC South, while the Colts and Jets must overcome significant questions at the quarterback position and tougher divisional competition. As the 2026 season approaches, the pressure is highest in New York, where fans are desperate to see a 15-year cycle of disappointment finally come to an end.
