I’ve been a New York Jets fan for my entire life. They haven’t been to the playoffs in 15 years, and whatever hatred other fan bases used to have for the team has withered away. Now the logo evokes sympathy from other fans. That’s never happened to me before. 

I now get stopped on the street if I’m wearing a Jets hat or hoodie. The conversation is always, “Tough Season,” and that turns into a broader conversation about how every season turns into this, and it’s only getting worse.  

I’m not sure if the Jets’ front office understands how other fans view their franchise. Players know, and that’s why the fans appreciate the players who want to be there for more than a paycheck.  

I once printed a dizzying list of the number of Jets quarterbacks I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. Since 1990, they’ve had well over 40 starters. If you look at the New York Jets’ all-time passing leaders, Joe Namath is still the leader. Which is nuts. Ken O’Brien is second, Richard Todd is third, and Chad Pennington is fourth.  

If I owned the team, I would stop putting any thought into trading for a veteran and figure out which quarterback they are drafting in April. I would love them to trade for Fernando Mendoza, but that may not happen.  

Teams like the New England Patriots can tear it all down and get better before the Jets. It’s insane when you think about it. It’s hard to be this bad. It really is. This is why fans are tired of hearing about the new plan. We’ve seen every plan. Every single one of them and they eventually repeat themselves. 

I was taught to stick with my team. I’m not sure who instilled that in me because my father turned into a Philadelphia Eagles fan. My brother and I have stayed loyal to the franchise and laugh about it because it’s comical.  

When will it get better?