The New York Jets infamously haven’t made a postseason appearance in 15 campaigns. Garrett Wilson believes that streak will end this season.
“Very realistic,” Wilson said of the Jets making the postseason, via ESPN. “I mean, I think it should happen, I’ll say that. It’s our job to go play ball and do it, but that’s how I feel about it.”
While the outside world might scoff at Wilson’s optimism, it’s the mentality every player should enter the season sporting. Should he have said he sees Gang Green winning five or six games? No.
For Wilson, and every other Jet, ending the decade-and-a-half streak without a playoff berth — tied for the fourth-longest drought in all American sports since 1970 – is priority No. 1.
“The playoffs, man, no doubt about it,” the wideout said of his definition of a successful season. “[Make the] playoffs, then re-start the season and we’ll see what happens. Nothing else.”
Outside of Florham Park, there is little optimism that Gang Green will turn things around following their 3-14 campaign. Most peg the Jets’ win total around 5.5. While they might dig themselves out of the AFC East cellar, competing for a playoff bid would turn heads in Aaron Glenn’s second season. Importing veterans on defense, adding an adult as a starting QB, and weapons around the likes of Wilson and Breece Hall have raised the baseline for improvement.
“Something is going to happen this year,” Wilson said. “I’m a faithful guy and I believe that. With the work we’ve been putting in, we have as good an opportunity as anybody in the league. I’m excited, man. We have a hell of a group here.”
In a league that sees clubs go worst-to-first in a division on a near-yearly basis, why not the Jets?