When it comes to the NFL, playoff appearances define success. Fans live for January football, and missing out year after year can weigh heavily on a franchise and its supporters. Some teams are perennial contenders, while others have gone through painful stretches of postseason absence. So, which NFL team currently has the longest playoff drought — and which franchises hold the all-time records?
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Current Longest NFL Playoff Drought
As of the 2025 NFL season, the New York Jets own the longest active playoff drought. The Jets last reached the postseason in 2010, meaning they have now missed the playoffs for 14 straight seasons. Despite having had star players, big offseason moves, and renewed optimism in recent years, New York has struggled to break through in a tough AFC East division.
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All-Time Longest Playoff Droughts in NFL History
While the Jets’ streak is painful for modern fans, two franchises share the all-time record for longest playoff droughts in league history:
- Washington (1946–1970) – 25 seasons without a playoff berth.
- St. Louis/Chicago Cardinals (1949–1973) – 25 seasons without a playoff berth.
These historic droughts stand as reminders of just how long teams can go without postseason football.
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Other Notable Playoff Droughts
Several other franchises have also endured difficult stretches:
- Buffalo Bills (2000–2016) – 17 seasons without a playoff berth.
- Cleveland Browns (2003–2019) – 17 seasons without a playoff berth.
- Detroit Lions (2000s–2010s) – Known for extended struggles before recent improvement.
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Why Playoff Droughts Matter
Missing the playoffs doesn’t just frustrate fans — it impacts team revenue, player morale, and national reputation. In today’s NFL, where parity is high and small changes can swing a season, long droughts stand out even more.
For the Jets, 2025 continues to be about ending that streak and finally bringing playoff football back to New York.
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Conclusion
The New York Jets currently hold the longest active playoff drought in the NFL at 14 seasons, while Washington and the Cardinals share the all-time record at 25 seasons. As history shows, droughts can eventually be broken — but for fans, every year without a playoff berth feels like an eternity.