New York Jets place kicker Greg Zuerlein (9) is congratulated by teammates after kicking a field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
It’s the age-old question in sports – one that the New York Jets have struggled with over the last 13 seasons.
Should struggling teams try to lose the remainder of their games after a slide of ineptitude?
In modern terms, should the Jets tank the rest of the 2023 season at 4-7?
The idea may seem absurd considering where New York started their season, but unfortunate events have led them to this point. Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles four plays into his Gang Green debut, Alijah Vera-Tucker was lost for the season at the same place the previous year was wasted, and the rest of the offensive line has been decimated with additional injuries.
New York has lost four straight games with additional contests against playoff-centric teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Miami Dolphins on the horizon. Now on their third QB of the season, the outlook is bleak for the Jets to turn around their season and end a 13-year playoff drought.
There are downsides and positives to tanking in the NFL. What New York should do in the coming weeks won’t be as simple as a yes or no solution. Today, AMNew York dissects what the franchise should do over the next month.
The Pros of Tanking
History shows that tanking works in the NFL. A poor run at the end of the year may be bad for morale between the fanbase and locker room, but the benefits of doing so could change the future outlook of the franchise for years to come.
The 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars finished the season at 1-15 – one game worse than the Jets – and ended up winning the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Since drafting Lawrence first overall, the Jaguars have won a playoff game and are on the path to winning the AFC South for back-to-back…
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