The 2010 season was the New York Jets' 41st season in the National Football League (NFL), their 51st overall and their first at New Meadowlands Stadium. The team improved on their 9–7 record from 2009, going 11–5 to reach the playoffs again as the AFC East's second-placed team. The Jets were the subject of HBO's training camp series Hard Knocks. The Jets played their first pre-season home game against the New York Giants to open up MetLife Stadium. Many considered them AFC East favorites; head coach Rex Ryan went so far as to guarantee a Super Bowl victory. The Jets broke a team record with a franchise best 6 consecutive wins on the road with a win against the Lions, followed by a win against the Browns in week 10. In the same victory against the Browns, the Jets became the first team in NFL history to win back-to-back road games in overtime. The Jets were the last NFL team to be undefeated on the road, before suffering a 45–3 loss at the New England Patriots in Week 13. The Jets met the Patriots again five weeks later in the AFC Divisional Round back in Foxborough where New York upset New England 28–21.
The following week, they were defeated by a final score of 24–19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game, ending their hopes of returning to the Super Bowl for the first time in 42 seasons.
This is the first time the Jets made the postseason in back-to-back seasons since their 2001 and 2002 seasons. However, as of today, this is the most recent season in which the Jets have qualified for the playoffs, as they currently possess the longest active playoff appearance drought in the NFL, as well as any of the four major North American sports leagues.
Offseason
Acquisitions WR Larry Taylor, P T. J. Conley, LB Josh Mauga and LB Ezra Butler signed future contracts on January 7, 2010. Former Canadian Football League alumni, cornerback Bo Smith and wide receiver S. J. Green were signed to future contracts on January 8, 2010. Long snapper Tanner Purdum was signed on February 5, 2010 from free agency. Kicker Nick Folk and offensive lineman Mike Turkovich were signed on February 23, 2010 via free agency. Safety Brodney Pool was signed on March 11, 2010 from free agency. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson signed with the team on March 14, 2010 from free agency. Defensive lineman Rodrique Wright was signed on March 16, 2010 from free agency. Linebacker Lance Laury was signed on March 19, 2010 from free agency. Kicker Clint Stitser was signed on April 7, 2010 from free agency to compete with Nick Folk. Linebacker Jason Taylor signed with the Jets on April 20, 2010 after the Miami Dolphins, Taylor's former team, failed to commit to the linebacker. Taylor signed a two-year deal. Cornerback Donovan Warren who went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft was immediately signed by the Jets following the draft. He is expected to compete for a spot as a safety. Tight end Jeff Cumberland, guard Charlie Tanner, and linebacker Kevin Basped, were signed on April 24, 2010 as an undrafted free agents. On April 26, 2010, the Jets signed Brian Jackson, Keith Buckman, Jason Lamb, Broderick Stewart, Matt Stommes and Ernest Williams. On May 3, 2010 the Jets signed linebackers Brashton Satele and Cory Reamer. On May 14, 2010 the Jets signed OG Marlon Davis and C Robbie Felix. The Jets signed rookie offensive tackle Aaron Kia on May 18, 2010. Kia previously played for the University of Hawaii in 2009 as their starting left tackle. On June 3, 2010, the Jets signed former Oregon Duck, DT/DE Simi Toeaina. On June 11, 2010, the Jets signed former Washington Huskies punter and kicker, Jared Ballman. The Jets signed NT Martin Tevaseu, an undrafted free agent from UNLV, on July 20, 2010. Veteran quarterback Mark Brunell signed a two-year deal with the Jets on July 28, 2010. Safety Emanuel Cook signed with the team on July 29, 2010. On August 2, 2010, the Jets signed wide receiver Vic Hall. Hall previously had a brief tenure with the Chicago Bears. On August 8, 2010, the Jets announced that offensive lineman Adam Tadisch had been signed. Tadisch played collegiately at North Dakota State before spending the 2010 season with the Cleveland Gladiators of the Arena Football League. On August 9, 2010, the Jets signed former Stephen F. Austin linebacker Tim Knicky. On August 14, 2010, the Jets signed offensive guard Chet Teofilo. On August 19, 2010, the Jets signed linebacker Boris Lee who formerly played for Troy. Veteran wide receiver Laveranues Coles signed with the Jets on July 30, 2010. The signing marked Coles' third stint with the team. On August 24, 2010, the Jets signed wide receiver Brooks Foster and safety Keith Fitzhugh. On August 31, 2010, the Jets signed defensive end Ricky Foley. On September 5, 2010, the Jets claimed wide receiver Patrick Turner, offensive lineman Patrick Brown and Marcus Dixon off waivers. Defensive lineman Trevor Pryce was signed on September 30, 2010.
Departures Cornerback Donald Strickland was released on March 5, 2010 after one season. Linebacker Broderick Stewart was waived on May 3, 2010. Center Michael Parenton was waived on May 14, 2010. Parenton had previously spent the 2009 season on the Jets practice squad and was given a future/reserve contract in February. Offensive Lineman Keith Buckman was waived on May 14, 2010. On May 18, 2010, the Jets released S. J. Green and Matt Stommes, following the first Organized Team Activities practice of the year. On May 27, 2010, Kicker Clint Stitser was waived by the team after failing to impress during organized team activities. On June 22, 2010, safety Brannon Condren, kicker Jared Ballman and defensive tackle Ernest Williams were cut by the team. The Jets waived defensive tackle Simi Toeaina on July 12, 2010. The team waived linebacker Ezra Butler on July 29, 2010. The Jets waived wide receiver Britt Davis on August 1, 2010. On August 8, 2010, the Jets waived Aaron Kia and Kevin Basped. On August 14, 2010, the Jets waived offensive lineman Marlon Davis. On August 19, 2010, the Jets waived punter T. J. Conley. On August 24, 2010, the Jets waived receiver Vic Hall and offensive tackle Adam Tadisch. On August 29, 2010, the Jets waived defensive lineman Rodrique Wright, and wide receivers Aundrae Allison, Marcus Henry and Laveranues Coles. On August 31, 2010, the Jets released backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell. On September 4, 2010, the Jets waived Emanuel Cook, Jason Davis, Keith Fitzhugh, Ricky Foley, Brooks Foster, Josh Mauga, Bo Smith, Ty Steinkuhler, Robby Felix, Dan Gay, Tim Knicky, Jason Lamb, Boris Lee, Cory Reamer, Brashton Satele, Charlie Tanner, Larry Taylor, Chet Teofilo, Martin Tevaseu, Donovan Warren and Mike Turkovich. On September 5, 2010, the Jets waived David Clowney and Chauncey Washington while releasing Tony Richardson. On October 26, 2010, the Jets waived defensive tackle Howard Green in order to promote linebacker Josh Mauga to the active roster.
Free agents PositionPlayerFree agencytagDate signed/released2010 teamNotesQBKellen ClemensRFAApril 13, 2010New York JetsCBDrew ColemanRFAApril 14, 2010New York JetsLSJames DearthUFASeptember 15, 2010San Diego ChargersDEMarques DouglasUFAWRBraylon EdwardsRFAMarch 22, 2010New York JetsGAlan FanecaReleasedApril 24, 2010Arizona Cardinals KJay FeelyUFAApril 2, 2010Arizona CardinalsLBRyan FowlerUFADTHoward GreenRFAOctober 27, 2010Green Bay PackersTEBen HartsockUFAMarch 8, 2010New York JetsOTWayne HunterRFAMarch 23, 2010New York JetsSJames IhedigboRFAMarch 22, 2010New York JetsLBLarry IzzoUFARBThomas JonesReleasedMarch 9, 2010Kansas City ChiefsCBJustin MillerReleasedNovember 28, 2009LBMarques MurrellRFAFBTony RichardsonUFASeptember 6, 2010New York Jets CBLito SheppardReleasedApril 21, 2010Minnesota VikingsSEric SmithRFAMarch 18, 2010New York JetsWRBrad SmithRFAMarch 22, 2010New York JetsWRWallace WrightRFAMarch 8, 2010Carolina PanthersRFA: Restricted free agent, UFA: Unrestricted free agent, ERFA: Exclusive rights free agent.New York Jets Free Agents via ESPN.
Contract extensions On July 7, 2010, D'Brickashaw Ferguson signed a five-year contract extension with the option of a sixth year being picked up. On July 30, 2010, the team announced that head coach Rex Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum both received contract extensions through 2014. On August 8, 2010, special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff received a one-year contract extension. Westhoff will remain with the team through 2011 and barring any setbacks will retire following the 2011 season. On August 24, 2010, center Nick Mangold signed a seven-year, $55 million contract extension with $22.5 million in guarantees. By signing the extension, Mangold became the highest paid center in the National Football League at the time. On September 5, 2010, head coach Rex Ryan and owner Woody Johnson visited cornerback Darrelle Revis at his Florida home. Revis, who had been disgruntled over a contract dispute with the team, agreed in principle to sign a four-year $46 million contract with $32 million guaranteed. The team announced the signing on September 6.
Trades
To Jets Antonio Cromartie was traded to the Jets on March 4, 2010 from the San Diego Chargers for a third round 2011 NFL draft pick, that can possibly turn into a second round depending on his performance. Santonio Holmes was traded to the Jets on April 11, 2010 from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth round 2010 NFL Draft pick.
From Jets Kerry Rhodes was traded to the Arizona Cardinals on March 6, 2010 for a fourth round 2010 NFL draft pick and a seventh round 2011 NFL Draft pick. On April 24, 2010, the Jets traded Leon Washington and their seventh round pick in the 2010 NFL draft to the Seattle Seahawks for Seattle's fifth round pick which the Jets used to select FB John Conner.
2010 NFL draft
Draft orderPlayer namePositionHeightWeightCollegeNotesRDPK129 (29)Kyle WilsonCornerback5'10"194 lbs. (88 kg.)Boise State UniversitySigned a five-year $13 million contract on July 31, 2010.229 (61)Vladimir DucasseOffensive tackle6'4"332 lbs. (151 kg.)University of Massachusetts AmherstSigned a four-year contract on July 7, 2010.329 (92)Traded to Cleveland Browns along with WR Chansi Stuckey and LB Jason Trusnik for WR Braylon Edwards.414 (112)Joe McKnightRunning back6'0"198 lbs. (86 kg.)University of Southern CaliforniaFrom Carolina Panthers for 124 and 198 overall picks. Signed a four contract on June 22, 2010.26 (124)From Arizona Cardinals for Kerry Rhodes then traded to Carolina Panthers for the 112 overall pick.29 (127)Traded to Philadelphia Eagles for CB Lito Sheppard58 (139)John ConnerFullback5'11"246 lbs. (112 kg.)University of KentuckyFrom Seattle Seahawks for Leon Washington and the 236 overall pick. Signed a four contract on June 4, 2010.24 (155)From Philadelphia Eagles for Lito Sheppard then traded to Pittsburgh Steelers for Santonio Holmes.29 (160)Traded to Cleveland Browns along with WR Chansi Stuckey and LB Jason Trusnik for WR Braylon Edwards.629 (198)Traded to Carolina Panthers for the 112 overall pick.729 (236)Traded to Seattle Seahawks along with Leon Washington for the 139 overall pick.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 New York Giants L 16–31 0–1 New Meadowlands Stadium Recap 2 at Carolina Panthers W 9–3 1–1 Bank of America Stadium Recap 3 Washington Redskins L 11–16 1–2 New Meadowlands Stadium Recap 4 at Philadelphia Eagles W 21–17 2–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
Regular season
Schedule