The Jets’ decade started with an AFC Championship appearance, but since then they’ve endured one of the worst stretches in franchise history.
New York has only had one season since in which it was over .500 and failed to return to the playoffs. The Jets have now gone nine consecutive seasons without a playoff berth and a record four straight losing seasons after faring 10-6 in 2015.
To finish off the decade, the Jets went 6-2 after a 1-7 finish, but they still have yet to play meaningful football beyond the first week of January. It seems Gang Green has its quarterback of the future, but does it have enough to start off the next decade with a playoff trip?
Decisions for the future are coming. For now, let’s take a look at the Jets’ 2010s all-decade team:
Offense
QB Mark Sanchez: Sanchez was consistently average during his time in New York, but that’s enough to be the team’s best quarterback of the decade. He was the only one to lead Gang Green to the playoffs in this decade. During his time as New York’s signal-caller, Sanchez went 33-29, a much more impressive record than what Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown. The hope is that Sam Darnold will do more to earn the nod 10 years from now.
RB Chris Ivory: Acquired via trade in one of John Idzik’s first moves as New York’s general manager, Ivory had a rather productive three-year tenure in green and white. He ran for over 800 yards in all three seasons, including going over 1,000 yards in 2015.
WR Brandon Marshall: Marshall spent just two seasons with New York, but his 2015 was enough to garner a mention on this list. Marshall set the team record for catches and yards and tied Don Maynard for touchdowns. In 2015, Marshall had 109 catches for 1,502 yards and 14 touchdowns.
WR Eric Decker: Paired with Marshall, the Jets had one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. He could never establish himself as a No. 1 target, but Decker put up those numbers opposite of Marshall. In 2015, Decker had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Santonio Holmes: While Holmes’ Jets career ended on a sour note, he is still largely responsible for helping New York reach its second AFC Championship Game in as many seasons. While his statistics don’t tell the whole story because of his four-game suspension to the begin the season, Holmes was as clutch as can be when it counted.
TE Dustin Keller: One of the more productive tight ends in the history of the franchise, the Jets have been unable to replicate Keller’s success since he departed New York. He finished his six-year tenure with the Jets catching 241 passes for 2,876 yards and 17 scores.
OT D’Brickashaw Ferguson: Ferguson was a staple on the Jets offensive line. He was the glue that kept the left side together and New York never had to worry about it quarterback’s blindside when he was on the field.
OG James Carpenter: Carpenter was the best the Jets had to offer at left guard during the decade. He was a reliable fixture brought in by Idzik and started every single game for New York from 2015-17.
C Nick Mangold: An All-Pro in 2010, Mangold would appear in five of his seven Pro Bowl appearances during the 2010s. The Jets are still itching to find a competent center as his replacement.
OG Brandon Moore: Moore is more famous for Mark Sanchez running into his behind, but he is the best the Jets had at right guard from 2010 on.
RT Damien Woody: While Woody has now spent more time as an ESPN personality than with Gang Green this decade, he provided the most stability at a position that has been a thorn in the Jets’ side.
Honorable Mentions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Bilal Powell, RB Shonn Greene, WR Robby Anderson, OG Brian Winters, OT Kelvin Beachum.
Defense
DL Muhammad Wilkerson: Despite his tumultuous exit, Wilkerson was one of the more tenured Jets of the decade. A team that has often struggled to get after quarterbacks, Wilkerson got after opposing passers with relative ease before he signed a lucrative contract extension.
DL Damon Harrison: Brought in as an undrafted free agent, Harrison developed into one of the best-run stuffers in the NFL with Gang Green. The Jets made a mistake allowing Snacks to walk and paying Wilkerson instead.
DL Sheldon Richardson: A highly criticized draft pick at the time, Richardson made an immediate impact on the Jets defense and earned Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His immaturity led to his departure, but he did help the Jets net Darnold.
OLB Calvin Pace: Pace is largely what Jordan Jenkins is for Gang Green today, but with a bigger impact. He was valuable in setting the edge and defending the run, and the Jets are still largely looking to replace his production.
ILB David Harris: A future Ring of Honor inductee, Harris is one of the greatest linebackers that has donned the green and white.
ILB Bart Scott: Scott quickly became a vocal leader of the Jets defense and was integral in bringing over Rex Ryan’s scheme from Baltimore. He is responsible for the most famous lines in recent Jets memory, his “Can’t wait” boast.
ILB Demario Davis: Davis’ second stint in green and white was much more successful. In 2017, he compiled 135 tackles, five sacks, one fumble recovery and three pass breakups. Since allowing him to walk in free agency, Davis has become one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL.
CB Darrelle Revis: Hands down a Hall of Famer, Revis is one of the best cornerbacks to ever play the game of football. It’s easy to overlook Revis’ dominance because of a bitter divorce following the 2016 season, but he was able to shut down one side of the field in his prime.
CB Antonio Cromartie: Playing opposite of Revis is no easy task. After Revis tore his ACL in the 2012 season, Cromartie took over as the No. 1 cornerback and had his best season in green and white. He was rewarded with his walking papers and never looked the same, even when he did return in 2015.
S Jamal Adams: Through three-years in the NFL, Adams has already immersed himself as one of the best safeties in the league and franchise history.
S Jim Leonhard: Far from a tone-setting safety like Adams, Leonhard was a model of consistency. The Jets secondary often struggled in his absence.
Honorable Mentions: DL Leonard Williams, DL Steve McLendon, OLB Bryan Thomas, OLB Jordan Jenkins, S Marcus Maye.
Special Teams
K Nick Folk: Seen as damaged goods after leaving Dallas, Folk developed into one of the more reliable and clutch kickers in the NFL.
P Lachlan Edwards: The Aussie punter has been nowhere near being one of the best punters in the NFL, but he’s consistently made an impact in the field position game for Gang Green.
LS Tanner Purdum: At the time of his release in 2017, Purdum was the longest-tenured Jets player. The long snapping position went untouched from 2010-16.
KR: Joe McKnight: While the late McKnight never truly became the offensive player he was projected to be, he was a dynamic returner. His career average return of 28.7 ranks fourth in NFL history.
PR Andre Roberts: Roberts was only with the Jets for one season, but his 14.1 average per punt return ranks second-best in single-season Jets history.
Honorable Mentions: K Jason Myers, LS Thomas Hennessey, PR Jeremy Kerley and KR/PR Brad Smith.
