What Is 2014 New York Jets football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2014 New York Jets finished the season with a 4–12 record, placing 4th in the AFC East under head coach Rex Ryan. Quarterback Geno Smith started the first five games before Ryan Fitzpatrick took over due to injury and performance issues.

Key Facts

The 2014 New York Jets had a 4–12 win-loss record
Rex Ryan was fired after the season following a 4–12 record
Geno Smith started the first five games before being benched
Ryan Fitzpatrick became the primary starting quarterback
The Jets ranked 28th in total offense, averaging 305.6 yards per game

Overview

The 2014 New York Jets season marked the franchise's 45th in the NFL and their fifth under head coach Rex Ryan. The team struggled throughout the year, finishing with a 4–12 record, their worst since 2007, and failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Playing their home games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the Jets faced internal turmoil, including a locker room incident involving linebacker IK Enemkpali punching quarterback Geno Smith, which led to Smith’s season-ending jaw injury. The season ultimately led to sweeping changes in leadership and roster overhaul.

4–12 record: The Jets won only four games, their fewest since 2007, finishing 4th in the AFC East behind the Patriots, Dolphins, and Bills.
Rex Ryan’s final season: After a 3–10 start, Ryan was fired on December 29, 2014, ending his five-year tenure with a 46–50 regular-season record.
Quarterback carousel: Geno Smith started the first five games, but after poor performances and injury, Ryan Fitzpatrick took over as the primary starter.
Defensive struggles: Despite ranking 12th in total defense (337.8 yards per game), the unit failed to compensate for offensive shortcomings.
Offensive inefficiency: The team ranked 28th in total offense, averaging just 305.6 yards and 17.0 points per game, the second-lowest in the league.

How It Works

The 2014 season exemplified how team dynamics, coaching decisions, and player performance shape NFL outcomes. Key elements such as quarterback stability, offensive execution, and leadership consistency played major roles in the Jets’ struggles.

Geno Smith (QB): Started the season as the starter but went 1–4 before being benched; his season ended after a punch to the jaw by a teammate.
Ryan Fitzpatrick: Took over midseason and started 10 games, throwing for 3,002 yards with 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
IK Enemkpali: Gained notoriety for punching Geno Smith over a $900 debt, leading to his release and symbolizing team dysfunction.
Chris Johnson: Signed as a free agent, rushed for 1,070 yards, becoming the first Jet to surpass 1,000 rushing yards since 2010.
Defensive effort: Calvin Pace led the team with 6.5 sacks, while Antonio Cromartie recorded 4 interceptions despite missing five games.
Special teams: Nick Folk made 25 of 31 field goals (80.6%), providing one of the few consistent performances on the roster.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2014 Jets compared to other AFC East teams and league averages across key performance metrics:

Team	Record	Points For	Points Against	Offense Rank	Defense Rank
New York Jets	4–12	272 (17.0 per game)	352 (22.0 per game)	28th	12th
New England Patriots	12–4	444 (27.8 per game)	317 (19.8 per game)	8th	17th
Miami Dolphins	8–8	342 (21.4 per game)	341 (21.3 per game)	17th	18th
Buffalo Bills	9–7	309 (19.3 per game)	305 (19.1 per game)	21st	10th
NFL Average	N/A	372.6 yards per game	337.2 yards per game	17th	17th

The table highlights the Jets’ offensive inefficiency compared to division rivals. Despite a top-half defense, their 28th-ranked offense and low scoring output crippled their competitiveness. The Patriots dominated the division, while the Bills and Dolphins outperformed the Jets in both record and overall production.

Why It Matters

The 2014 season was a turning point for the Jets, marking the end of the Rex Ryan era and prompting a franchise reset. Poor on-field results, off-field drama, and quarterback instability made it a cautionary tale about team culture and leadership.

End of Rex Ryan’s tenure: His aggressive style failed to produce playoff success, and his dismissal signaled a shift toward organizational stability.
Quarterback uncertainty: The Geno Smith incident exposed poor locker room management, leading to a years-long search for a franchise QB.
Rebuilding phase: The team entered a full rebuild in 2015, drafting players like Leonard Williams to anchor future growth.
Impact on draft position: The 4–12 record gave the Jets the 6th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, used to select a defensive lineman.
Media scrutiny: The locker room punch became a national story, symbolizing broader dysfunction and damaging team morale.
Long-term implications: The season contributed to a playoff drought that lasted until 2020, the longest in franchise history.

The 2014 New York Jets season remains a low point in franchise history, remembered more for its missteps than its moments. It underscored the importance of leadership, player development, and organizational culture in achieving NFL success.