Only One Disgraced NFL Team Doesn’t Have A Single Primetime Game In 2026 — First Time In 45 Years
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The NFL finally decided to move away from putting the New York Jets in primetime games.
When the league released the 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday, the Jets were left without a single primetime game for the first time since 1981. That ended a streak that lasted through years of losing seasons, coaching changes, and failed rebuilds.
The Jets joined the Las Vegas Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, and Miami Dolphins as the only teams without a scheduled primetime game this season. Most of those teams struggled last year, while the Dolphins entered the season with lower expectations after making major roster changes.
At the same time, many fans believe the NFL gave the San Francisco 49ers an especially difficult schedule this season.
Still, the Jets are different because the NFL usually gives them at least one primetime game due to the New York market and strong television ratings. Even during disappointing seasons, the team almost always appeared on national TV.
That changed in 2026.
The NFL and its TV partners now seem more focused on avoiding bad matchups in standalone games, and the Jets did not give them much confidence. The franchise has struggled for most of the past decade, even during years when fans entered the season with high hopes.
Unfortunately for Jets fans, those expectations usually faded quickly.
Jets Lose Their Place
The schedule decision also puts extra pressure on first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. Some fans already worry the season could go downhill if the team starts with several losses.
The opener adds even more attention to the situation. The Jets will begin the season against the Tennessee Titans, who now employ former Jets coach Robert Saleh. Many fans focused on that matchup after the schedule came out.
This is the full schedule. One major note. The Jets are not scheduled to play a single primetime game for the first time since 1981. Just gives you an idea of what the league thinks of them coming in 2026. https://t.co/8zF0AdsAhP
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 14, 2026
For years, the Jets still received primetime games even when they had bad records. Since 1981, the team went through many losing seasons but still regularly appeared on national television. That streak finally ended because the NFL no longer believes the Jets are worth the risk in crucial standalone games.
The league wants exciting games that will keep fans watching all night. Right now, the Jets are not creating much excitement or confidence.
In many ways, the decision shows how far the franchise has fallen. The Jets still play in a huge market, but that alone is no longer enough to guarantee national attention.
At least this year, Jets fans will not have to watch another disappointing season play out in primetime.
