Jets Left Off 2026 Primetime Slate for First Time in 45 Years
A combination of recent losing seasons and a 3-16 mark in night games prompted networks to give the team no scheduled prime-time slots for 2026.
Overview
- The NFL's published 2026 schedule gives the New York Jets zero scheduled primetime games, a franchise first in 45 years according to reporting on the release.
- Head coach Aaron Glenn publicly framed the omission as something the team must "earn," saying primetime exposure is awarded to players and staff who prove they deserve it.
- Recent on-field performance weighed heavily on scheduling decisions: the Jets finished 5-12 in 2024 and 3-14 in 2025 and are 3-16 in their last 19 night games.
- Of the 16 Jets games with set times, 14 kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and the other two are regional 4:05 p.m. road slots at the Chargers and Cardinals.
- The lack of scheduled primetime is not final because the league can flex games into national windows and Week 18 contains standalone Saturday and Sunday-night options that the Jets could reach by improving their competitiveness.