WHEN Bill Parcells was forced to coach a group of scab replacements during the brief 1987 NFL strike, someone suggested that he shrug off what became three consecutive losses and focus on the return of his real Giants. An unmoved Parcells grumbled: “But this still goes on my record.”

This nightmare of a season goes on the record of Jets coach Herm Edwards record, too. There will be no asterisk to point out the Jets’ avalanche of injuries, which claimed two quarterbacks, their star running back, the anchors of their offensive line, a tight end and key defensive players. In the end, every coach is measured by wins and losses, not circumstance. Edwards knows the deal.

That’s why the Jets’ season can’t be spin-doctored into some kind of great achievement worthy of Coach of the Year honors, as Dick Vermeil suggested earlier this week. Perhaps the statement was made in jest or simply to amplify the ordeal a coach faces in trying to patch a lineup together after injuries. Maybe it was a subtle endorsement of Edwards, should Vermeil elect to retire at the end of the season. But certainly, no one – not even Edwards – deserves to take bows over what has happened with the Jets in 2005.

Thankfully, this disaster ends today with a “can’t wait until it’s over” meeting with the Bills at the Meadowlands. The Jets enter today’s game 3-12, which makes Edwards 38-41 in five years, a tenure that includes a division championship in 2002 and three playoff appearances. Not bad; not great.

Give Edwards and his coaching staff credit for staying optimistic and avoiding the finger-pointing and other self-serving internal implosions that can normally decimate losing teams. But that’s the least we should have expected from Edwards, who carries more respect in his locker room than most coaches.

Now comes an important offseason in which the Jets will have the consolation prize of a much-needed top draft pick. Nonetheless, a potential dark cloud is hovering. This Kansas City flirtation isn’t going away until Vermeil decides his future. And rest assured, if Vermeil retires the Chiefs would contact the Jets about Edwards, who has deep ties to the organization.

To this point, Edwards has been adamant about returning for a sixth year with the Jets to “get this thing going in the right direction again.” But that doesn’t mean he won’t entertain interest from Kansas City, if for nothing more than to improve his contract status with the Jets.

With two years remaining on his current deal, Edwards would seem to have some measure of security. But after 3-12, he shouldn’t feel totally secure. If things go bad next year, he’ll likely be looking for a new job. That’s why Edwards, if granted permission, might listen to the Chiefs, then maybe go back to the Jets and see if he can get an extension.

Certainly, a man has got to do what is best for his career and family, but sniffing a new coaching job or a contract extension after 3-12 smells like week-old fish.

Any speculation about Edwards’ future could cripple the Jets in an offseason during which there must be constructive communication between management and the head coach. A critical draft choice must be made, and other key decisions must follow. Wondering who the coach will be come September could sabotage the whole process.

If Edwards wants to flirt with the Chiefs – and the guess here is he won’t – then the Jets should consider letting him go. If he intends to stay, he should inform the Chiefs the moment Vermeil announces his retirement.

But if Edwards leaves now, he leaves a loser. That’s what his record says. No asterisk granted.

george.willis@nypost.com