As the excitement builds throughout the NFL playoffs, there is a familiar feeling for all local Jets and Giants fans. Both teams finished dead last in their respective divisions and finished their season without the need for a playoff game once again. To be perfectly honest, it was never even a remote possibility for either team.
At least Giants fans don’t have to remember too far back for memories of glory. As bad as it has been in recent years, there are a number of championships that even some of the younger fans might be able to recall. Jets fans would love to have that to fall back on. There hasn’t even been a single postseason game since 2010 – and only one winning season in all that time.
But this year has been one of the most open in recent NFL history. The Chiefs dynasty is over, and the Eagles have failed to step up to take over. Even at this late stage of the postseason, it is difficult to confidently predict who will prevail. All of the best Super Bowl betting sites are doing a roaring trade as football fans attempt to predict who will ultimately be crowned champions.
As this season has been so open, it got us thinking whether the Giants or Jets might be able to make a play for the Super Bowl next year. Can either of them really make a surprise challenge in the same way that the Broncos or Panthers did in 2025?
Can the Giants Win Another Super Bowl?
At least the Giants improved on last year. After winning just three games in 2024, Brian Doboli and Mike Kafka combined to lead the team to four victories this year, with two games at the end of the regular season, changing draft predictions and saving the organization from its worst record since 1974.
Surely, even with the parity of the league and the way the NFL has been this year, there still isn’t really a chance that the Giants could be a contender in 2026? Even the most partisan of fans might have agreed with that statement up until a few days ago, when John Harbaugh was appointed the new head coach.
A former Super Bowl winner and AP NFL Coach of the Year, Harbaugh’s record is miles ahead of any of the last few head coaches and will bring a new mentality to the team. He is demanding and experienced and is exactly what the Giants need. He will be bringing his offensive coordinator from Baltimore, Todd Monken, along with him – so that might give fans an idea of what to expect next year.
There is no guarantee that the Giants will suddenly become competitive again, of course. A lot needs to change for the team to go up against what is now a strong division. But the Giants will have a head coach who is a winner for the first time in a long time – and that could be a catalyst to further success.
Could the Jets Compete in 2026?
As much as the NFL has been unpredictable this year, there were still very few football fans thinking that the Jets might join in on the fun. As the Pats came through as the surprise team in the AFC East, Aaron Glenn’s team lost its first seven games and ended up with just three wins to its name by the end of the season.
For long-suffering Jets fans, it might come as something of a surprise to discover that there has actually only been one worse season in the last 30 years (as every year is a chore for this fan base) but there is no doubt that it was another one to forget. Now, the number two QB prospect has stated that he would rather stay in college than go pro with the Jets. So, is there really anything to be hopeful about for Jets fans?
The Jets will now probably have their choice of the non-QB class. But there is still a need for someone new to lead the team. After the failed experiment of Aaron Rodgers (annoyingly able to take the Steelers to the playoffs this year), there are a few QB choices, if the Jets feel that way.
There will be other QBs further down the draft, although this is not a particularly inspiring year for the position. The Jets might look to free agency, where the likes of Kirk Cousins, Geno Smith, and even former Giant Daniel Jones will be looking for new teams. The absence of real change at the Jets means a run to the playoffs seems unlikely, but an improvement seems possible.
New York Super Bowl Champs 2026?
Earlier in the season, it was the Indianapolis Colts who were surprising everyone, with some pundits talkng about a possible shock championship run. That didn’t play out, but there is no doubt that the regular – and post – seasons have been unpredictable this year. If this is repeated in 2026, there surely has to be a chance for the Giants and the Jets.
The new regime at the Giants suggests that they will be the ones more likely to achieve success. Making the playoffs has to be a possibility, with Harbaugh hoping to bring an entirely new way of thinking to the organization. The Jets will be more interested in achieving a winning record for the first time in over a decade.
It is still a long shot for there to be a New York Super Bowl champ, of any description, any time soon. But, with some positive moves on and off the field (not always common at the Giants or Jets), 2026 should be a better year for football fans.
