Jets hold longest playoff drought

Last week the Sacramento Kings clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs. With this, they also ended the longest playoff drought in the American major leagues as they made it to the playoffs for the first time since May 5, 2006. Almost 17 years later the Kings are back in the playoffs. But now, someone has to get their place. And the New York Jets hold now the longest playoff drought in North American sports.

Almost 17 years are, no doubt, a really long drought. However, they are not even close to the top 10 longest droughts in the history of the major leagues. According to “Champs or Chumps”, the 10 longest droughts in North American sports happened in the MLB. Check out who made it to this unfortunate list and the time they missed the postseason.

1. St. Louis Browns – 41 years (1903-1944)
2. Cleveland Indians – 40 years (1955-1995)
3. Chicago White Sox – 39 years (1920-1059)
4. Oakland Athletics – 39 years (1932-1971)
5. Chicago Cubs – 38 years (1946-1984)
6. Texas Rangers – 35 years (1961-1996)
7. Philadelphia Phillies – 34 years (1916-1950)
8. Boston Braves – 33 years (1915-1948)
9. Pittsburgh Pirates – 32 years (1928-1960)
10. Minnesota Twins – 31 years (1934-1965)

Active longest playoff drought

The New York Jets last qualified for the playoffs in 2010, which means that they are already on a 12-year streak of not making it to the playoffs. If they can’t qualify this season, it will be 13. That’s one of many reasons they are trying to sign Aaron Rodgers and other stars.

The New York Jets now own the longest playoff drought among the four major North American pro sports leagues. pic.twitter.com/Ha4NGkqMBw

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) March 30, 2023

But of course, they are not the only ones living in a drought. They are just at the top of the list. But this list is long enough to have 12 teams in the top 10. As crazy as it sounds, we have a bunch of franchises tied, so this is our “top 10”, and those are the 12 teams living the active longest playoff drought in North American sports.

Rank	Team	League	Years
1.	New York Jets	NFL	12
2.	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	11
3.	Los Angeles Angels	MLB	8
	Detroit Tigers	MLB	8
5.	Denver Broncos	NFL	7
	Pittsburgh Pirates	MLB	7
	Kansas City Royals	MLB	7
8.	Charlotte Hornets	NBA	6
	Detroit Lions	NFL	6
	Baltimore Orioles	MLB	6
	Texas Rangers	MLB	6
	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	6