Finally, It’s Over: The Jets defeat Dolphins in Season Finale, 32-20.
And just like that, the most disappointing season in Jets history has come to an end. Yes, the Jets have had other stupendously disappointing seasons throughout the entire team's history, but 2024-25 has been one of a kind. From Super Bowl aspirations to chasing a top 5 pick and rebooting the franchise, the Jets have seen it all this season. We've had midseason coaching changes and firings, GM firings, leaked stories about ownership, and player drama, which could lead to them being on the way out. With all of this looming over Jets fans' heads, one game remained. It was a new game, a new year, and it was against the playoff-hopeful Miami Dolphins. They needed a Broncos loss and a win against the Jets for a playoff berth. Miami's starting QB, Tua Tagovailoa, was out, and QB Tyler "Snoop" Huntley would start in his place. On a night when the Jets expected to be celebrating a playoff berth, they'd play in a meaningless game that could only hurt the team's draft stock.
The game was a disaster from the first offensive snap. QB Aaron Rodgers' first pass attempt would be to, guess who, WR Davante Adams, would throw an interception. Immediately, Jets fans deflated. Many left the game after the play to save themselves from another disappointment. Miami could fail to score a touchdown even after being on the Jets' 15-yard line but walked away with a field goal, Miami 3-0. It would be a hot potato back-and-fourth punt game until Dolphins RB De'Von Achane would take off for a 61-yard run, it looked like a house call until CB DJ Reed made a great tackle. Miami would fail again to capitalize and settle for another field goal, Miami 6-0. The Jets' offense eventually found fire once Aaron Rodgers decided to throw the ball around to other receivers besides just WR Davante Adams and threw his 500th milestone touchdown to TE Tyler Conklin. It was a great moment, and history was made. The Jets caught momentum and intercepted it. S Ashtyn Davis made the pick, and it was a big play. The Jets immediately turned it back over on downs, but Will McDonald IV made a play and forced a fumble. The Jets capitalized on that and scored a touchdown, then 2pt conversion after the big play, the Jets 15-6. The Dolphins had a great kick return but S Ashtyn Davis intercepted them once again, the Jets maintained the lead going into halftime.
Once the second half began, the Dolphins didn't have anything to play for as the Broncos were blowing out the Carson Wentz-led Kansas City Chiefs, which would inevitably eliminate the Dolphins from playoff contention. The Dolphins scored two touchdowns and attempted a late-game comeback, but the Jets closed the door shut on them with a terrific four-touchdown game from QB Aaron Rodgers. The Jets ended it with a Rodgers-Breece Hall touchdown, and the season finally ended.
The worst rollercoaster ride has ended for New York, but they will now embark on another crucial offseason. This is always said every year, and the Jets take home the off-season championship every off-season. The Jets always show promise after January, but will it finally work on the field starting September? During halftime, it was revealed the Patriots would fire HC Jerod Mayo, and Mike Vrabel was immediately linked to the job as he changed his profile picture on X/Twitter to a picture of him back in his Patriots playing days. Sources revealed that he used the Jets interview from Friday as a smokescreen to pressure the Kraft family to fire Mayo and hire him. The Jets were used once again and will likely miss out on the hottest candidate in this coaching carousel. Former Jets and Bills HC Rex Ryan will interview for the job on Tuesday. Lions DC Aaron Glenn and former Dolphins HC, now Vikings DC Brian Flores are great candidates for the job. The Jets can quickly turn this around, but this is commonly said about the franchise, and they always manage to fail. Owner Woody Johnson made a statement providing hope for fans.
As a first-time season ticket holder, this season was incredibly disappointing and depressing. We expected a 10+ win season and couldn't even win more than six. The hype was great, but there was nothing to back it up. Hire Flores and keep Rodgers. My list of head coaching candidates will be released soon.
It can't get worse than this, Jets fans…
