Jets All-Quarter Century Team: Our list of best players at each position from 2000-2025

It's been a tale of two halves for the New York Jets over the last quarter century. In the first half, they were viewed as competitors, routinely making the playoffs as they qualified for the postseason six times from 2000-10 with an AFC East title in 2002.

This timetable also holds the most success the Jets have seen since winning their lone Lombardi Trophy as an AFL franchise in 1968. The highlight was rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez and first-time head coach Rex Ryan leading Gang Green to back-to-back AFC Championship game appearances in 2009 and 2010.

Then you have the last 14 seasons, where the Jets have had numerous different starting quarterbacks, five different head coaches and general managers, all while owning the longest playoff drought of the four major North American professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL).

The last time the Jets had a winning record was in 2015, when they finished second in the AFC East with a 10-6 record and still didn't qualify for the postseason.

All misery and suffering has to end at some point. Jets fans hope that a regime change is the start of a move in the right direction this year, with new head coach and former Jets cornerback Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey taking over this offseason, which includes a new addition under center in starting quarterback Justin Fields.

Before the Jets embark on their journey for the 2025 season, we must look back at those that came before (and some still currently playing) that stood out above the rest for the last quarter century.

Here is The Record and NorthJersey.com's ranking of the best Jets players over the last 25 years at each position for our Jets' All-Quarter Century team:

Quarterback: Chad Pennington

There's no denying Mark Sanchez led the Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship appearances in his first two years in the NFL. Sanchez and Chad Pennington also finished with a nearly identical records (Sanchez: 33-29, Pennington: 32-29). However, when Pennington was healthy, he was the better QB by the numbers, holding the advantage over Sanchez in yards, touchdowns and fewer interceptions despite playing four more seasons for Gang Green, including winning the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2006.

Sam Darnold was potentially on pace to compete for the top spot following a solid first two seasons in the league but was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 after a disastrous 2-10 record in 12 starts in 2020, where he finished with more interceptions (11) than touchdowns (9).

Next best: Mark Sanchez

Honorable mention: Sam Darnold

Running back: Curtis Martin

The no-brainer here clearly is Curtis Martin. He was a three-time Pro-Bowler (1998, 2001 and 2004), an All-Pro in 2004 and had 12,741 scrimmage yards (rushing and receiving) in his eight seasons with the Jets. Martin rushed for 1,000+ yards every year with the Jets except his final one in 2005 when he only played in 12 games. He has the most rushing yards (10,302) by far in Jets history, is one of five players in franchise history with their number retired by the Jets and is was inducted into the organizations ring of

Thomas Jones only played three seasons with the Jets but was dominant in his short stint in East Rutherford. He rushed for at least 1,100 yards each year and found the end zone 28 times on the ground, which led to a Pro Bowl appearance in 2008.

Breece Hall has been the definition of a three-down workhorse the last three seasons with the Jets and could further vault himself higher up on this list. However, he's currently in a contract year and could leave in free agency after this season if the two sides can't come to terms on a long-term deal in the near future with a regime that didn't draft him.

Next best: Thomas Jones

Honorable mention: Breece Hall

Wide receivers: Laveranues Coles and Garrett Wilson

Laveranues Coles was drafted in the third round by the New York Jets in 2000. In seven seasons with the team, he amassed 459 receptions for 5,941 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. His career-high in yardage came with Gang Green when he recorded 89 catches for 1,264 yards and five touchdowns.

Garrett Wilson has only played three seasons so far but is already top-15 in franchise history in receptions (279) and yards (3,249). Wilson will be one of, if not the best wide receiver in franchise history of the last 25 years if he continues on this trajectory for years to come after signing a four-year, $130 million contract extension this offseason.

You can't mention the best Jets' wide receivers of the last quarter century without talking about Brandon Marshall's historic campaign in 2015. Marshall led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns and finished with 109 receptions and 1,502 receiving yards in his first of two seasons with the organization, setting or tying franchise records in all three departments.

Next best: Jerricho Cotchery

Honorable mention: Brandon Marshall

Tight end: Dustin Keller

Dustin Keller played a pivotal role in the receiving game during the late 2000s success of the Jets in their run to consecutive AFC title game appearances. Keller played only five seasons in the NFL, all of them coming with the Jets. He had 45+ receptions every year he played a full season (16 games). The former first round pick posted a career-high in catches (65), yards (815) and targets (115) while tying a career-high with five touchdowns in 2011.

Tyler Conklin has been as advertised since the tight end joined the Jets in free agency in 2022. He's been one of the most consistent receiving weapons behind Garrett Wilson the last three seasons with the team lacking a second wide receiver option outside of Wilson in recent years.

Next best: Tyler Conklin

Honorable mention: Anthony Becht

Left tackle: D'Brickashaw Ferguson

160 games. 160 starts. 0 missed games. D'Brickashaw Ferguson was the anchor of the Jets' offensive line at left tackle for 10 seasons from 2006-2015. He was the blind side protector for numerous QBs throughout his decade in the NFL. Ferguson was a three-time Pro-Bowler from 2009-2011 and is in the New York Jets Ring of Honor, where he was inducted with fellow teammates Darrelle Revis and Nick Mangold in 2022.

Jason Fabini made 114 starts at tackle across eight seasons with the Jets, but 34 of those appearances came at right tackle. He started all 80 games at left tackle before Ferguson was drafted from 2000-2004 for the organization.

Next best: Jason Fabini

Honorable mention: Kelvin Beachum

Left guard: Alan Faneca

His time was brief with the Jets, but there's no doubt Alan Faneca should be at the top. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021, Faneca made the Pro Bowl in both seasons with team and was second-team All-Pro in 2008. Overall, he's a nine-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro and was named to All-2000s Hall of Fame team as a guard. Faneca won the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005.

Next best: Kerry Jenkins

Honorable mention: Matt Slauson

Center: Nick Mangold

For the first 16 years of this century, the Jets struck gold at the center position. Kevin Mawae, who signed with the Jets as a free agent in 1998, manned the middle for Gang Green until 2005 when Nick Mangold took over for the next decade.

Yes, Mawae is a eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All Pro, named to the Hall of Fame All-2000s team and most importantly a Hall of Famer. However, Mangold played all 11 seasons in the NFL with the Jets during this century, notably a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.

Mangold is the choice here but there's no wrong answer between the two.

Next best: Kevin Mawae

Honorable mention: Connor McGovern

Right guard: Brandon Moore

One of the staples on the offensive line next to Mawae and Mangold was Brandon Moore. He spent his entire career (10 seasons) with the Jets and started in 142 of a possible 144 games from 2003-12.

Brian Winters, a third round pick by the Jets in the 2013 NFL Draft, started his career at left guard his first two seasons before he took over the right guard spot from 2015-19.

Next best: Brian Winters

Honorable mention: Randy Thomas

Right tackle: Damien Woody

Damien Woody was a key addition to the Jets offensive line when they signed him to a five-year, $25 million contract ahead of the 2008 season. Woody started all 45 games he appeared in for Gang Green across three seasons and played a crucial role blocking up front during the two postseason runs in the late 2000s.

Kareem McKenzie, a Garden State native from Willingboro, was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft. After appearing in games as a rookie, McKenzie held down the right tackle spot from 2002-04, starting all 48 games during that stretch. He notably left the Jets to join the Giants prior to the 2005 season and won two Super Bowls with Big Blue in 2007 and 2011.

Next best: Kareem McKenzie

Honorable mention: Brandon Shell

Defensive ends: John Abraham, Shaun Ellis

Twenty five years ago, the Jets owned four first-round picks (still a record today) in the 2000 NFL Draft, known as the "Four Aces Draft". Quarterback Chad Pennington (No. 18 overall) and tight end Anthony Becht (No. 27 overall) mentioned earlier on this team were a part of it. The first two picks came back-to-back on the defensive line in Shaun Ellis (No. 12 overall) and John Abraham (No. 13 overall).

Abraham and Ellis were a forced to be reckoned for opposing QBs. In six seasons with the Jets, Abraham was a three-time Pro Bowler and was named to an All-Pro (2001), as he recorded 53.5 sacks, 283 total tackles and 19 forced fumbles in 73 games, including three seasons with double-digit sacks.

Ellis played 11 of 12 seasons with the Jets, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler, started 156 of 170 games and finished with 574 total tackles and 13 forced fumbles. His 72.5 sacks ranks third most in franchise history.

Next best: Muhammad Wilkerson

Honorable mention: Leonard Williams

Defensive tackles: Quinnen Williams, Sheldon Richardson

Another current Jets player makes the list here in Quinnen Williams. Selected third overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, Williams is in the prime of his career and has dominated since joining the Jets, particularly over the last three seasons. He's made the Pro Bowl three consecutive years and was named an All-Pro and finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting after he posted a career-high in sacks (12) and QB hits (28).

Sheldon Richardson, also a former first-round pick, only played four seasons with the organization but got off to a great start with Gang Green, as he took home the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2013 and made his lone Pro Bowl in 2014 with the team.

Next best: Damon Harrison

Honorable mention: Kris Jenkins

Linebacker: Jonathan Vilma, Quincy Williams

The Jets' strong drafting early in the 2000s included Jonathan Vilma, who was drafted No. 12 overall in 2004. Vilma took home Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and followed it up with a sophomore campaign where he led the NFL in tackles (173) and solo tackles (128), making his only Pro Bowl with the Jets in 2005 before he was traded to the New Orleans Saints in 2008.

One of the best waiver wire additions the Jets have had in recent memory is Quincy Williams. The Jets claimed him off waivers right before the start of the 2021 season and he's been a force at linebacker. He's started 61 of 65 games (including all 17 in 2024), has recorded at least 106 tackles every season with Gang Green and was named an All-Pro in 2023 after he set career-highs in tackles (139), solo tackles (95) and tackles for loss (15).

Next best: Demario Davis

Honorable mentions: Mo Lewis, Calvin Pace

Cornerbacks: Darrelle Revis, Sauce Gardner

The Jets' best player over the last 25 years is Darrelle Revis. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023, "Revis Island" was the top cornerback in the NFL for a period of time and is one of best cornerbacks to ever play the game. He made four All-Pros in his career, with three of them coming with the Jets from 2009-11, is a seven-time Pro Bowler and was named to the Hall of Fame All-2010s team.

When the Jets made their first run to the AFC Championship game in 2009, Revis was otherworldly. He limited some of the best wide receivers in the game at the time -- Andre Johnson, Randy Moss (twice), Marques Colston, Terrell Owens (twice), Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne and Chad Ochocinco -- all to under 35 yards. The shutdown dominance that season led him to finish runner up in Defensive Player of the Year voting to Green Bay Packers cornerback and fellow Hall of Famer Charles Woodson.

As it has been a theme over the last quarter century, the Jets hit again on defensive talent with their first-round pick when they took Sauce Gardner fourth overall in the 2022 NFL Draft. It's hard to have a better rookie year in the NFL than Gardner did. He singlehandedly transformed the Jets' secondary and defense overall, as he the led the league in passes defended (20) and was chosen for the Pro Bowl, named All-Pro, won Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and finished eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. One of the best defensive rookie seasons we've seen in quite some time.

Gardner followed it up with another Pro Bowl and All-Pro nod in 2023. It was a different story in 2024, as he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 13 versus the Seattle Seahawks, while also dealing with a head injury when in London against the Denver Broncos earlier in the year.

Next best: Antonio Cromartie

Honorable mention: D.J. Reed

Safeties: Jamal Adams, Kerry Rhodes

Jamal Adams only played three seasons with the Jets but they were memorable ones. After starting all 16 games his rookie year, he went on to make back-to-back Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro in 2019. He ended with 273 total tackles, 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown) and two interceptions while starting all 46 games for Gang Green. Before the 2021 season, the Jets traded Adams and a 2022 fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft in exchange for Bradley McDougald, a first and third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and a 2022 first-round selection, which ultimately turned into the selection of wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Out of his eight seasons in the NFL, Kerry Rhodes played five in New York, as he started 78 of a possible 80 games from 2005-10. He made second-team All-Pro in 2006 and 23 interceptions with the organization, with nine of those coming from 2006-07.

Next best: Erik Coleman

Honorable mention: LaRon Landry

Kicker: Nick Folk

Ironically, not only is he the best Jets kicker this quarter century, but the team also decided to bring the soon-to-be 41 year-old back this offseason to be the starting kicker in his 18th season. Folk's first tenure with the Jets lasted seven seasons from 2010-16, where he led the NFL in attempts (39) in 2014.

Since leaving the organization in 2017, Folk's only gotten better. He converted on at least 92% of his field goals in four of the last five seasons, including leading the league in field goal percentage at 96.7% in 2023 and 95.5% in 2024. Folk's missed only two total field goal tries in his last 31 games (40-for-42) for the Titans.

His 729 points are second all-time on the Jets' career list, only behind Pat Leahy's 1,470 points.

Next best: Mike Nugent

Honorable mention: John Hall

Punter: Thomas Morstead

It's a three-way race at the punter position. Lac Edwards had a solid stint with the Jets where he led the league in punts (87) and punt yards (3,991) in 2019. The most notable name is Steve Weatherford, who was the team's punter during their playoff runs in 2009 and 2010.

The top spot here belongs to Thomas Morstead. While he was released by the Jets this offseason, the 39-year-old had a solid output the last two seasons. He led the NFL in punts (99) and punt yards (4.831) in 2023, both career-highs. Morstead also averaged 48.8 yards per punt, a personal best two years ago.

Next best: Lac Edwards

Honorable mention: Steve Weatherford

Returner: Leon Washington

Leon Washington could do it all. After rushing for 650 yards his rookie season in 2006, he transitioned to more of a receiving and returner role over his final three seasons with the Jets. It all came together in 2008, when he led the NFL in all-purpose yards with 2,337 total yards -- 1,231 kickoff return yards, 448 rushing yards, 355 receiving yards and 303 punt return yards -- earning him All-Pro and Pro Bowl nod in the process.

An underrated name is Braxton Berrios, who had 2,434 punt and kick return yards across 65 games in four seasons with the Jets, which included a 2021 campaign where he was name an All-Pro and returned a 103-yard kickoff for a touchdown versus the Jaguars on Dec. 26, 2021 at MetLife Stadium.

Next best: Braxton Berrios

Honorable mention: Santana Moss

Long snapper: Thomas Hennessy

One of the most stable positions of the Jets the last 25 years has ironically enough been long snapper. There's only been three players at the position since the beginning of the 2001 season. It's close, but I give the slight edge to Thomas Hennessy, a Don Bosco Prep graduate and New York native who's entering his ninth straight season as the team's long snapper and has yet to miss a game in his career.

Next best: James Dearth

Honorable mention: Tanner Purdum

Head Coach: Rex Ryan

Rex Ryan is the clear choice here as he led the Jets to their most recent playoff appearances in the back-to-back AFC Championship game, is third all-time in wins (46) in franchise history and finished .500 or better in four of six seasons as Jets head coach.

Herm Edwards has the fourth-highest win percentage (.488) in the history of the organization and led the Jets to the postseason three times early on, but wasn't able to get the franchise over the hurdle of the divisional round during his five years in East Rutherford.

Next best: Herm Edwards

Honorable mention: Eric Mangini

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Jets All-Quarter Century Team: Our list of best players at each position