As the New York Jets prepare for another season at their Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey, the franchise remains burdened by a championship drought now stretching 57 years. While neighboring New York sports teams have recently tasted success, most notably the Knicks ending a 53-year title drought earlier this year, the Jets continue to search for ways to break their decades-long dry spell.

The contrast between the Knicks’ recent NBA triumph and the Jets’ ongoing struggle to reach the pinnacle of the NFL has not gone unnoticed by players within the Jets organization. Quarterback Geno Smith reflected on how the Knicks’ championship energized the city and its fans, and how seeing that level of devotion serves as additional motivation for the Jets roster.

“It gives us a little bit of added motivation,” Smith said. “We’re motivated already, but man, just watching those guys win their championship, it’s gotta do something to you as a competitor.”

Running back Breece Hall, who began his NFL career with the Jets in 2022 and holds a 22-46 record with the team, described the sensation as “positive jealousy.” Hall has close ties with several Knicks players, including Mikal Bridges and Tyler Kolek, and attended the Knicks’ clinching game in San Antonio alongside friends. He expressed eagerness for the Jets to experience a similar moment of triumph.

“It’s definitely very cool to see, and I can’t wait to have that feeling,” Hall said, referencing the disparity between the teams’ fortunes and his hope for the Jets’ future.

Offensive lineman Joe Tippmann, with the Jets since 2023, echoed the sentiment. While he avoided attending Knicks playoff games due to logistical reasons, the celebrations resonated with him and fueled his determination to bring a championship back to New York for the Jets.

“It just makes me even more want to bring a championship back to New York,” Tippmann said.

Former Jets safety Aaron Glenn, who played on the 1998 Bill Parcells-led team that reached the AFC Championship, praised the Knicks for their resilience during their postseason run. He emphasized the importance of “competitive stamina,” a trait he aims to instill in the current Jets squad as they prepare for training camp.

“That’s a real thing,” Glenn said. “It’s something I’ve talked to our guys about since Phase 1.”

Despite the long odds and the franchise’s struggles—no Jets team has secured a Super Bowl win since Joe Namath’s landmark victory on Jan. 12, 1969—the organization remains optimistic. Players and staff alike express a hunger to surprise critics and rekindle the championship spirit with each new season.

“Everybody has a common goal of, we’re hungry, we’re gonna try to surprise everybody this year,” Hall said.

For now, the Jets will continue their preparations on the practice field while drawing inspiration from their New York counterparts, hoping the city will one day rally behind another championship team bearing the Jets’ green and white colors.