There are numerous reasons why the 2025 New York Jets are 0-5. Poor coaching, bad execution, and questionable calls have all cascaded into the worst start to a new regime in franchise history.
Following Sunday’s 37-22 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Jets fans are demanding answers. They want to understand why the organization has played so poorly.
Some point to the injuries on defense. Others look squarely at the coaching staff and front office. But it’s time to ask a bigger question surrounding Gang Green …
Have we just overrated the youthful talent on the roster?
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is not responsible for the team’s 14-year playoff drought. In many ways, he was always set up to fail in 2025. Fans expected him to solve all of New York’s problems and have carried pitchforks since realizing he wouldn’t be able to.
But the big reason why Glenn’s team has struggled to an 0-5 mark is the exact reason why the team has failed to do anything positive over the last few decades:
The players simply aren’t good enough.
New York walked into the 2025 campaign with three All-Pros on defense. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, linebacker Quincy Williams, and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams were expected to mix well with high-rising youngsters like Jamien Sherwood, Will McDonald, and Brandon Stephens.
That hasn’t happened, though.
Gardner, Sherwood, and McDonald are posting the worst Pro Football Focus grades of their careers to this point. Other players around the unit have also struggled tremendously. Despite the significant investment the organization has made in its defense, the results have been unacceptable.
In total, the Jets spent over $215 million on defensive contracts during the offseason.
The result? The second-most points allowed, the fifth-most rushing yards allowed, and a bottom-of-the-roster unit in other key areas.
In short, the Jets’ defensive problems stem from their star players not performing to their full value.
Unfortunately for the Jets, the offense hasn’t been much better—especially when the game is in the balance.
Despite fielding the third-best rushing attack in football, the Jets are averaging just over six points per game in the first three quarters of action. Despite losing three one-score contests in the first five games of the season, the Jets’ offense has struggled to show competency early in games.
Like the defense, the offensive concerns extend beyond the apparent issues.
Before the season began, the perceived strength of the offense was the offensive line. New York walked into the season with three first-round picks and a second-rounder among the group. Add in quality veterans like John Simpson and Josh Myers, and Gang Green was supposed to be able to rely on their front five all year.
That hasn’t happened either.
In Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys, the Jets’ offensive line allowed a 50.9% pressure rate, featuring six sacks, 10 hits, and 16 hurries. For a Dallas defensive line that was one of the worst in the league going into the matchup, the 15-point loss was an inexcusable performance from the line.
It wasn’t always their fault. Quarterback Justin Fields has had issues holding onto the ball, which undoubtedly racked up the poor offensive line stats in a misleading manner.
At the end of the day, though, New York needed great play from its stars across the depth chart. Defensive prime performers, the offensive line, and other high-profile players all needed to play up to their talent for the Jets to have a chance this season.
None of them has lived up to that billing, and it’s the central reason why the New York Jets are the only winless franchise in the league.
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