The Jets return to the field on Sunday for the first time in two weeks and the first time since owner Woody Johnson fired general manager Joe Douglas.
The team announced last week that it had begun the search for a new general manager and head coach by hiring the 33rd team led by Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman.
The monarchy appears to have turned its eyes to 2025.
But there are still six games left in this season.
Players and coaches must now find a way to stay motivated at 3-8 as the playoffs continue mathematically, but not realistically.
That starts with a visit to the Seahawks, who are 6-5 and in first place in the NFC West.
It's as if old friend Geno Smith and the Seahawks have everything to play for while the Jets play for the series.
But they insisted this week that the dressing room remains motivated.
“I didn't feel any human being, there's no individual on this team deviating from staying involved, preparing at the highest level,” interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said. “The energy was good. The details were good. The approach was amazing, but it was amazing that I felt it the whole time. The process was right. The results were not right.”
“This is the week.”
The Jets have lost seven of their past eight games this disappointing season — including a heartbreaking, last-minute loss to the Colts two weeks ago before the bye week.
They spent this time searching for answers about what went wrong.
The Jets have lost five straight games to the Seahawks, their last win over Seattle in 2004.
“Listen, I mean, when you win, everything gets better, so, if we win this championship, things will get better, and the next game things will feel better,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. “Things have been going downhill in the last few weeks. “It's because the guys are motivated, and you can inspire them. [Ulbrich] He can give us a great quote, or he can give us a great message, or we can have a great talk on Saturday night, but in the end it's about motivating the players individually, and then just wanting them to play for something bigger than themselves, and I hope we all do that.”
