The 2020 season was the New York Jets' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 61st overall, their first under general manager Joe Douglas and their second and final under head coach Adam Gase. They failed to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2019 or return to the playoffs for the first time since 2010. Their 2–14 record was their worst record since their 1996 campaign in which they went 1–15, and shortly after the Jets closed their season with a loss to the New England Patriots the team fired Gase as head coach.

The Jets became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention after a loss in Week 11 dropped them to 0–10. They continued their losing streak to Week 14, resulting in a franchise-worst 0–13 start, before they claimed their first victory in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Rams to prevent a winless season. Their point differential of −214 was the worst of all teams during the season. With the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2002 and 2007 respectively, the Jets now have the longest active postseason drought in the NFL, with 2010 being the last season the Jets qualified for the postseason.

On July 20, the Jets confirmed that their home games would take place behind closed doors due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Roster changes

Free agents

Unrestricted +PositionPlayer2020 TeamDate signedContractWRRobby AndersonCarolina PanthersApril 12 years, $20.000 millionOTKelvin BeachumArizona CardinalsJuly 181 year, $1.1875 millionCBMaurice CanadyDallas CowboysMarch 181 year, $1.250 millionOGTom ComptonSan Francisco 49ersApril 31 year, $2.750 millionDEBrandon CopelandNew England PatriotsMarch 221 year, $1.048 millionPLac EdwardsBuffalo BillsAugust 191 year, $0.910 MillionQBDavid FalesNew York JetsApril 231 year, $0.910 millionILBNeville HewittNew York JetsMarch 251 year, $2.000 millionOLBJordan JenkinsNew York JetsApril 231 year, $5.000 millionCRyan KalilILBAlbert McClellanFSRontez MilesRBTy MontgomeryNew Orleans SaintsMay 151 year, $1.048 millionRBBilal PowellOTBrent QvaleHouston TexansMarch 201 year, $1.048 millionOTBrandon ShellSeattle SeahawksMarch 242 years, $9.000 millionQBTrevor SiemianTennessee TitansAugust 191 year, $0.910 millionWRDemaryius ThomasOLBPaul WorrilowNew York JetsSeptember 161 year, $0.204 million

Restricted +PositionPlayer2020 TeamDate signedContractILBJames BurgessNew York JetsApril 71 year, $0.925 millionCBArthur MauletNew York JetsMarch 20TBC

Exclusive-Rights +PositionPlayer2020 TeamDate signedContractILBB. J. BelloNew York JetsApril 231 year, $0.645 millionKSam FickenNew York JetsApril 231 year, $0.495 millionOTLeo KoloamatangiNew York JetsApril 231 year, $0.645 millionLBFrankie LuvuNew York JetsApril 231 year, $0.645 million

Signings +PositionPlayer2019 TeamDate signedContractOGJosh AndrewsIndianapolis ColtsApril 21 year, $1.048 millionCBPierre DesirIndianapolis ColtsApril 21 year, $3.750 millionOTGeorge FantSeattle SeahawksApril 233 years, $27.300 millionCConnor McGovernDenver BroncosMarch 303 years, $27.000 millionILBPatrick OnwuasorBaltimore RavensApril 61 year, $2.000 millionWRBreshad PerrimanTampa Bay BuccaneersApril 11 year, $6.500 millionOGGreg Van RotenCarolina PanthersApril 23 years, $10.500 millionRBFrank GoreBuffalo BillsMay 51 year, $1.050 millionQBJoe FlaccoDenver BroncosMay 221 year, $1.500 million

Releases +PositionPlayer2020 TeamDate releasedCBTrumaine JohnsonCarolina PanthersMarch 18CBDarryl RobertsDetroit LionsMarch 21WRQuincy EnunwaAugust 3RBLe'Veon BellKansas City ChiefsOctober 13

Draft

2020 New York Jets Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 11 Mekhi Becton OT Louisville 2 59 Denzel Mims WR Baylor from Seattle Seahawks 3 68 Ashtyn Davis FS California from New York Giants 79 Jabari ZunigaDE Florida 4 120La'Mical PerineRBFlorida 125 James Morgan QB Florida International from New England Patriots 129 Cameron Clark OT Charlotte from New England Patriots 5 158Bryce HallCBVirginia 6 191Braden MannPTexas A&M Pre-Draft Trades The Jets traded defensive end Leonard Williams to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2020 third-round selection and a conditional fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL draft. The Jets traded a seventh-round selection to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for guard Alex Lewis. In-Draft Trades The Jets traded a second-round selection (48th) to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a second- and a third-round selection (59th and 101st). The New York Jets traded a third-round selection (101st) to the New England Patriots in exchange for two fourth-round selections (125th and 129th) and a 2021 sixth-round selection. The Jets traded their sixth-round selection (211th) to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for CB Quincy Wilson.

Undrafted free agents Player Position College SourceSterling JohnsonDTCoastal CarolinaDomenique DavisDTUNC PembrokeLamar JacksonCBNebraskaJavelin GuidryCBUtahBryce HuffLBMemphisLawrence CagerWRGeorgiaJared HilbersOTWashingtonShyheim CarterSAlabamaGeorge CampbellWRWest Virginia

Staff

Final roster

Preseason The Jets' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Week Date Opponent Venue Result 1 New York Giants MetLife Stadium Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic 2 at Detroit Lions Ford Field 3 Pittsburgh Steelers MetLife Stadium 4 at Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field

Regular season

Schedule The Jets' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 13 at Buffalo Bills L 17–27 0–1 Bills Stadium Recap 2 September 20 San Francisco 49ers L 13–31 0–2 MetLife Stadium Recap 3 September 27 at Indianapolis Colts L 7–36 0–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap 4 Denver Broncos L 28–37 0–4 MetLife Stadium Recap 5 October 11 Arizona Cardinals L 10–30 0–5 MetLife Stadium Recap 6 October 18 at Miami Dolphins L 0–24 0–6 Hard Rock Stadium Recap 7 October 25 Buffalo Bills L 10–18 0–7 MetLife Stadium Recap 8 November 1 at Kansas City Chiefs L 9–35 0–8 Arrowhead Stadium Recap 9 New England Patriots L 27–30 0–9 MetLife Stadium Recap 10 Bye 11 November 22 at Los Angeles Chargers L 28–34 0–10 SoFi Stadium Recap 12 November 29 Miami Dolphins L 3–20 0–11 MetLife Stadium Recap 13 December 6 Las Vegas Raiders L 28–31 0–12 MetLife Stadium Recap 14 December 13 at Seattle Seahawks L 3–40 0–13 Lumen Field Recap 15 December 20 at Los Angeles Rams W 23–20 1–13 SoFi Stadium Recap 16 December 27 Cleveland Browns W 23–16 2–13 MetLife Stadium Recap 17 January 3 at New England Patriots L 14–28 2–14 Gillette Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Buffalo Bills

The Jets started their season with a loss, starting 0–1.

Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers

The Jets have not won a home opener since 2015. The Jets dropped to 0–2.

Week 3: at Indianapolis Colts

With the loss, the Jets dropped to 0–3.

Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos

With the loss, the Jets dropped to 0–4 for a second consecutive season. It marked the first time in franchise history they've suffered consecutive seasons when they started 0–4.

Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals

With a 30–10 loss to the Cardinals in Week 5, the Jets experienced their first 0–5 start since their disastrous 1996 season. Two days later, the Jets released disgruntled running back Le'Veon Bell less than two years after signing him to a massive contract. This was also the first of two games in which backup Quarterback Joe Flacco started due to injuries to starting Quarterback Sam Darnold.

Week 6: at Miami Dolphins

With the shutout loss (the first shutout of the season), the Jets started 0–6 for the first time since the 1996 season. With the Giants and Falcons winning their first games this week, this left the Jets as the only winless team in the NFL for 2020.

Week 7: vs. Buffalo Bills

Amidst heavy criticism, Head Coach Adam Gase gave up offensive play calling duties, instead leaving it to Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains. Under Loggains, the Jets were able to build a 10–6 lead over the Bills by halftime after a Sergio Castillo field goal and La'Mical Perine touchdown. Despite this, the Jets offense struggled in the second half. While the Jets were able to prevent Buffalo from scoring touchdowns, the Bills were able to score enough field goals to hand the Jets an 18–10 loss. With this loss, the Jets dropped to 0–7 for the first time since 1996.

Week 8: at Kansas City Chiefs

With the loss, the Jets fell to 0–8. It would be their first such start since 1996.

Week 9: vs. New England Patriots

After Sam Darnold suffered a shoulder injury, Joe Flacco would start for the New York Jets once again. Facing an injury-plagued New England Patriots team, the game was seen as a big chance for the Jets to get their first win of the season. Flacco threw touchdown passes to Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, alongside two Sergio Castillo field goals to lead 20–10 at halftime. However, the Patriots rallied and in the final five minutes of the game, following a crucial interception by Joe Flacco, the Patriots were able to tie the game 27–27. As time expired, Nick Folk kicked the game winning field goal for the New England win. With the loss, the Jets started 0–9 for the first time in franchise history while losing their 9th consecutive game to the Patriots since 2015. They were also eliminated from AFC East division title contention for the eighteenth consecutive season.

Week 11: at Los Angeles Chargers

The Jets started 0–10 for the first time in franchise history. With this loss, along with the Colts beating the Packers, the Jets became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention. It also secured a full decade without postseason football for the Jets. The longest since the 1970's.

Week 12: vs. Miami Dolphins

The Jets started 0–11 for the first time in franchise history, and their only score in the entire game came from a field goal put up in the first quarter by Sergio Castillo.

Week 13: vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The Jets led much of the early portions of the game, scoring two early touchdowns and holding a 13–7 lead. Despite giving up the next seventeen points and entering the fourth quarter trailing by eleven, the Jets scored twice and reclaimed the lead with 5:34 remaining. On the ensuing Las Vegas drive, the Raiders were stopped on fourth down inside the New York 10-yard line when Derek Carr threw an incompletion on fourth down after offsetting penalties negated a first down.

The Jets forced the Raiders to use their remaining time outs on their possession and punted the ball back to them, leaving the Raiders sixty-one yards from the end zone with thirty-five seconds left. Carr managed to get Las Vegas into New York territory on the first play of the drive, with Darren Waller hauling in a completion to the 46-yard line. After spiking the ball to stop the clock, Carr threw two consecutive incompletions to bring up third down with thirteen seconds showing.

On third down, Jets defensive coordinator Gregg Williams decided to call for a play referred to as a zero blitz, which results in nearly every defender rushing the play and a lone defensive back remaining in coverage. The call backfired on the Jets as receiver Henry Ruggs was able to get past rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson, leaving himself wide open and enabling Carr to easily find him for the go-ahead touchdown with five seconds left. The Raiders won the game 31–28.

With the loss, the Jets fell to 0–12 for the first time in franchise history, becoming the first team to start 0–12 since the 2017 Browns, who failed to win a game that season. After the game Williams drew criticism for his play call from the media, players, and coach Adam Gase and after discussions between Gase and team administrators, Williams was relieved of his duties the following day.

Week 14: at Seattle Seahawks