It took just four plays for disaster to strike the Jets.
Even for a franchise that’s accustomed to it, how quickly it arrived Monday night was stunning.
But when it comes to Jets failures, misery loves company.
Aaron Rodgers hobbling off the field with a torn Achilles now joins a long list of Jets catastrophes.
Four of The Post’s Jets experts ranked them:
Eerily similar to Rodgers’ injury, Testaverde, head coach Bill Parcells and the Jets were carrying Super Bowl expectations entering the 1999 season after reaching the AFC Championship game the season prior. But just like the 2023 team, it barely got started before it was dealt a crushing end, as Testaverde ruptured his Achilles opening night on Sept. 12 trying to recover a Curtis Martin fumble.
Rodgers did not even complete a pass before tearing his Achilles on a sack by Leonard Floyd, who beat left tackle Duane Brown’s attempted chip block.
In what became the most famous — or for the Jets, infamous — note in NFL history, Belichick resigned as Jets head coach one day after being hired ahead of the 2000 season to replace his former mentor, Parcells, whom he had served as defensive coordinator. In what was supposed to be his introductory press conference, Belichick instead handed team officials a note and announced he was resigning due to “uncertainties” around ownership. A few weeks later, he agreed to become the Patriots’ head coach, forever altering both teams’ futures.
Up against their bitter rivals in the Dolphins in the 1982 AFC Championship game, the Jets complained about the Dolphins not putting a tarp on the field at the Miami Orange Bowl in the days leading up to the game. It resulted in a muddy mess that earned it the “Mud Bowl” moniker, as Jets quarterback Richard Todd threw five interceptions to sink the team to a 14-0 loss.
With the Jets leading 20-10 over the Browns in the fourth quarter of a 1986 AFC Divisional Round game, Gastineau was flagged for roughing the passer on Cleveland quarterback Bernie Kosar, handing the Browns a first down instead of them facing a third-and-24. Cleveland subsequently marched down the field and scored before later tying the game and winning in double overtime.
The Jets got the news they were expecting but dreading.
An MRI exam confirmed quarterback Aaron Rodgers has a torn left Achilles tendon that will require season-ending surgery, a source confirmed.
Now, the Jets are back to where they were a year ago, with Zach Wilson back as the starting quarterback of the New York Jets.
Here’s what’s next for the star-crossed franchise.
Brien came up empty with two chances to lift the Jets over the 15-1 Steelers in the 2005 AFC Divisional Round, missing two potential go-ahead field goals in the final 2:02 from 47 yards and 43 yards, respectively, with the game tied 17-17. Of course, the Steelers would go on to win in overtime on — what else? — a game-winning field goal.
Owning the No. 24 pick in the 1983 draft, the Jets selected Ken O’Brien out of UC Davis, making him the fifth quarterback taken in the first round. They passed on Pittsburgh star and the more well-known Dan Marino, whom the Dolphins drafted three picks later at No. 27. Though he notably never won a Super Bowl, Marino is a Hall of Famer and regarded as one of the best passers of all time, while O’Brien made just two Pro Bowl teams.
While attempting to sack Chiefs quarterback Dave Krieg on Nov. 29, 1992, Byrd instead collided with teammate Scott Mersereau after Krieg stepped up to avoid the hit. Byrd broke his fifth cervical vertebrae from the collision, leaving him temporarily paralyzed.
If the Jets passing on Marino in the draft didn’t hurt enough, the Hall-of-Fame quarterback delivered another crushing moment during a critical regular-season matchup in 1994 between the Jets and Dolphins. After falling behind 17-0, Marino led a furious comeback before faking a spike and tossing the game-winning touchdown pass while catching the Jets sleeping.
In prime time on national television on Thanksgiving in 2012, Mark Sanchez delivered one of the NFL’s most embarrassing moments in what became a 49-19 loss to the Patriots. Sanchez collided with offensive lineman Brandon Moore — or more specifically, Moore’s butt. Sanchez fumbled and the Patriots returned it for a touchdown, part of a second-quarter onslaught during which the Jets lost three fumbles and gave up three touchdowns in 52 seconds.
One of many failed Jets quarterbacks, Smith was sucker-punched by teammate IK Enemkpali in the locker room ahead of the 2015 season. Smith reportedly owed Enemkpali $600 for travel expenses to Enemkpali’s football camp the quarterback did not attend. It left Smith with a broken jaw, paving the way for Ryan Fitzpatrick to win the starting quarterback job.