The New York Jets have had an interesting journey since their inception in 1959. From their early days as the Titans, to the legendary “Broadway Joe” Namath era, to their more recent struggles, the Jets have been a team of highs and lows.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the evolution of the Jets over the years.
The Titans
The New York Jets started their journey in 1959 as the Titans of New York. The team was founded by Harry Wismer and played their home games at the Polo Grounds. The Titans struggled in their early years, winning only seven games in their first two seasons.
However, things started to turn around in 1963 when they hired Weeb Ewbank as their head coach. Ewbank led the Titans to a 5-9 record in his first season, which was a vast improvement over their previous years.
The Titans continued to improve under Ewbank, and in 1963, they made their first playoff appearance.
The Namath Era
The Jets became the New York Jets in 1963 after they were sold to a group led by Sonny Werblin. The team started to gain national attention in 1965 when they drafted Joe Namath, who was then playing for the University of Alabama.
Namath quickly became the face of the franchise, and he led the Jets to their first and only Super Bowl victory in 1968.
The Jets were huge underdogs going into the game against the Baltimore Colts, but Namath famously guaranteed a victory, and the Jets pulled off the upset, winning 16-7.
The Jets had some success in the years following their Super Bowl victory, but they never quite reached the same heights as they did in 1969. Namath retired in 1977, and the Jets struggled throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
The Modern Era
The Jets had some success in the 2000s under head coach Herm Edwards. They made the playoffs in 2001 and 2002, but they were unable to advance past the divisional round.
The Jets made headlines in 2008 when they traded for quarterback Brett Favre, but the move didn’t pay off, and the Jets finished the season with a disappointing 9-7 record.
In 2009, the Jets hired head coach Rex Ryan who quickly turned the team around. The Jets made the playoffs in Ryan’s first two seasons as head coach, and they advanced all the way to the AFC Championship game in both years.
The Jets have struggled in the years since Ryan’s departure, but they made a bold move in 2018 when they hired Adam Gase as their head coach. Gase was supposed to be an offensive mastermind, but the Jets offense was one of the worst in the league during his two seasons as head coach.
The Jets made another bold move in 2021 when they hired Robert Saleh as their head coach. Saleh is a defensive-minded coach who had success as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
There has been some progress and there is good reason for optimism for the 2023 season.
New York Jets Odds
The New York Jets have had some success over the years, but they have also had their fair share of struggles.
The New York Jets odds of winning the Super Bowl may not be very bright, but anything can happen in the NFL, and there have been plenty of teams that have defied the odds to win it all.
One thing that is clear is that the Jets have a young and talented roster, led by quarterback Zach Wilson, who was drafted in the first round in 2021. Wilson showed progress in his second year, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 27 touchdowns in the 2022 season.
The Jets also have several other promising young players on both offense and defense, including wide receiver Elijah Moore, running back Michael Carter, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
Conclusion
Overall, the Jets have had their ups and downs over the years, but they remain a storied franchise with a passionate fan base.
With an exceptional coaching staff and a talented young roster, the Jets have a reason for optimism heading into the future. Only time will tell if they can recapture the magic of the “Broadway Joe” era and bring another championship to New York.