For the first time in 45 years, the New York Jets won't be playing under the lights — and honestly, it's hard to argue with the decision.
The NFL released its 2026 schedule on Thursday, and five teams were left without any primetime slots: the Las Vegas Raiders, the New York Jets, the Arizona Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans, and the Miami Dolphins. While all five have reasons to be disappointed, the Jets' exclusion is historic. They had received at least one primetime game every season since 1981, a streak that spanned more than four decades — and included a dozen seasons with 12 or more losses.
A New Low for the Jets
Despite their long history of mediocrity, the Jets always had one thing going for them: the New York market. The NFL and its broadcast partners have long believed that even a bad team in the Big Apple can draw eyeballs. But after years of high-profile flops — and an offseason that has done little to inspire confidence — the league finally decided the risk wasn't worth it.
Nothing the Jets have done this offseason suggests they're ready to turn things around. Fans are already predicting that head coach Aaron Glenn could be on the hot seat early, especially if they lose their season opener against former Jets coach Robert Saleh and the Tennessee Titans. That game, by the way, won't be in primetime either.
The snub is particularly jarring given that the Jets have been a staple of the primetime schedule for decades. But in an era where the NFL is laser-focused on maximizing ratings, the Jets simply aren't a draw anymore. The league and its broadcast partners have finally decided that market size isn't enough to overcome years of on-field failure.
Other Teams in the Dark
The Jets aren't alone in their primetime exile. The Titans, Dolphins, Cardinals, and Raiders also find themselves without a national spotlight game. The Titans, in particular, have fans crying foul over the schedule, as some believe the team was snubbed despite having a promising rookie quarterback in Cam Ward.
The Dolphins, who have essentially hit the reset button this offseason, are expected to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Raiders and Cardinals round out the group, both coming off disappointing seasons with little reason for optimism.
For the Jets, though, the sting is deeper. They've been a constant presence on national television for nearly half a century, even when they didn't deserve it. Now, that safety net is gone — and the only way to get it back is to start winning.
At least they won't have to suffer the embarrassment of losing in front of a primetime audience. For now, that's the only silver lining.
