The 2021 season was the New York Jets' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 62nd overall, their third under general manager Joe Douglas and their first under head coach Robert Saleh. It began with the team's third head coach in four seasons.
The Jets improved on their 2âÂÂ14 record from the previous season. Despite this, they were eliminated from playoff contention for the eleventh consecutive season in Week 14. The Jets missed the playoffs for the eleventh straight season, tying a record set between 1970âÂÂ1980.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, traded to Carolina prior to the season, led the Panthers to an early lead over his former team, scoring two touchdowns including a 57-yard pass to former Jets teammate Robby Anderson. Two late touchdown passes by Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson were not enough for New York to come back and win. For the third straight year, the Jets started the season 0âÂÂ1. Offensive Tackle Mekhi Becton also suffered a knee injury during the game, and would later be put on injured reserve after opting for surgery.
In a battle between rookie quarterbacks, Zach Wilson threw four interceptions to the Patriots defense while Patriots quarterback Mac Jones had a quietly efficient performance, completing over 70% of his passes. With their 11th straight loss to the Patriots, the Jets fell to 0âÂÂ2.
Despite a slow start, Wilson passed for two touchdowns and led the Jets offense to a go-ahead field goal in overtime. The Titans missed a potential game-tying field goal on the second drive of overtime, allowing New York to win its first game of the season.
With the brutal loss the Jets fell to 1-5 while suffering their 12th straight loss to New England since 2016.
With the upset win, the Jets matched their 2-win total from the previous year. Quarterback Mike White, whom made his first career start in place of an injured Zach Wilson, became the first quarterback since Cam Newton to throw for 400+ yards in their first career start, and the first Jets quarterback to throw 400+ yards since Vinny Testaverde in 2000.
Despite the loss, the Jets were given the minor comfort of participating in a game that made a scorigami â a 45âÂÂ30 game had never happened before in NFL history.
With their 9th consecutive divisional loss, the Jets fell to 2-7. This would be their last home loss to the Bills until 2024.
The Jets dropped to 0âÂÂ12 all time against the Eagles.
With the loss, the Jets fell to 0-3 against the NFC South and they were eliminated from playoff contention for the 11th consecutive season, tying the Jets teams from 1970-1980 for most consecutive seasons missing the playoffs.
With their 7th loss in Miami since 2016, the Jets fell to 3-11.
With the win, the Jets improved to 4-11 and finished 3-1 against the AFC South.
In what would turn out to be their final game against Tom Brady, the Jets squandered a 24-17 lead and get outscored 11-0 in the 4th quarter. As result the Jets dropped to 4-12 and finished 0-5 against the NFC.
The Jets recorded their first-ever home loss to the Buccaneers, snapping a seven-game home winning streak against them.
For the second straight season, the Jets failed to win a divisional game as they finished 4-13. This was the Jets last season without a divisional win until 2025.