I cannot conduct a poll that includes every Jets fan extant, and thus I know better than to assume I can speak with absolute authority on behalf of the entirety of that tortured fan base. What I can do is speak for myself, and how I would like to believe Jets fans would feel on this matter if given a pinch of truth serum with their morning coffee. 

I believe — genuinely — that no fan really wants to tank. Part of the reason for this is that for every Peyton Manning, there is a JaMarcus Russell. For every Victor Wembanyama there is an Anthony Bennett. For every Connor McDavid there is an Alexandre Daigle.

Take flight with the Jets

Text with Brian Costello all season as he brings Sports+ subscribers the latest Jets intel from on the field and off.

Tanking guarantees nothing, unless I’ve been Rip Van Winkle-ing the endless stretch of playoffs success that the Jaguars have piled up with Trevor Lawrence, or that Jameis Winston has collected with … well, just about everybody. And that especially applies in a year, such as this, when there is no obvious game-changing college player that’s yet emerged.

I think what Jets fans would like to see most of all, especially after getting a taste of success last Sunday in Cincinnati heading into this week’s bye, is this: evidence — real, abiding proof — across the season’s final nine weeks that a foundation is being built here. Win a few more games, don’t let the impact those games have on their draft status even enter your orbit.