5 Ways Tom Brady Still Haunts The New York Jets: The Full Story Of The NFL’s Most One-Sided Rivalry

The New York Jets have been the subject of one of the most lopsided rivalries in NFL history, a narrative dominated entirely by the presence of legendary quarterback Tom Brady. As of December 16, 2025, even in his retirement, the shadow of the seven-time Super Bowl champion continues to loom large over the franchise, transforming what should have been a competitive AFC East matchup into a perpetual nightmare for Gang Green.

This article dives deep into the complete, often painful, relationship between the iconic quarterback and the Jets, exploring the historical dominance, the shocking "what if" moments that could have changed everything, and the fresh, updated ways Brady is still influencing the team's future from the broadcast booth and the owner's box.

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.: A Complete Profile

Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr., born on August 3, 1977, in San Mateo, California, is universally regarded as the greatest quarterback in National Football League (NFL) history.

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• Full Name: Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.
• Born: August 3, 1977 (Age: 48, as of the 2025 season)
• Birthplace: San Mateo, California, U.S.
• High School: Junipero Serra High School (San Mateo, CA)
• College: University of Michigan (Michigan Wolverines)
• NFL Draft: 2000 NFL Draft, Round 6, Pick 199 (New England Patriots)
• NFL Career: 23 Seasons (2000–2022)
• Teams: New England Patriots (2000–2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020–2022)
• Super Bowl Wins: 7 (A record for any player or franchise)
• Super Bowl MVP: 5 (Also a record)
• NFL MVP: 3 times (2007, 2010, 2017)
• Current Role: FOX Sports Lead NFL Analyst (starting 2024 season), Minority Owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Brady’s career is defined by his longevity, clutch performances, and unparalleled success, a success that was disproportionately built on the backs of his AFC East rivals, particularly the Jets.

The 31-8 Nightmare: How Brady 'Owned' the Jets

The core of the Tom Brady–New York Jets saga is a simple, brutal statistic: Brady’s career record against the Jets. Including the postseason, Brady amassed a staggering 31-8 record against the franchise.

This dominance is the primary source of the "Brady Curse" narrative. The Jets were one of only two teams Brady defeated 30 or more times in his career, second only to the Buffalo Bills (33 wins).

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Key Moments of Jets Heartbreak

The 31 wins weren't just routine victories; they often came in the most soul-crushing ways:

• The Eric Mangini Era: Former Patriots defensive coordinator Eric Mangini, who became the Jets head coach, was a prime target for Brady. Despite a brief period of competitiveness, Mangini's tenure was largely defined by his inability to overcome his former team.
• The 2007 Season: After the Jets hired Mangini, Brady and the Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season, including two decisive victories over New York, setting the tone for a decade of Patriots supremacy.
• The "I Don't Need the Jets" Comment: When asked if he had ever considered playing for the Jets, Brady famously quipped, "Oh no, I don't need the Jets. I'll just own the color green. I think that's a little bit better." The comment perfectly encapsulated the one-sided nature of the rivalry.

For two decades, every Jets season seemed to include at least two guaranteed losses to the New England Patriots, fundamentally limiting their playoff aspirations and contributing to a cycle of frustration for the fanbase.

The Ultimate 'What If': The 2000 Draft Near-Miss

The most agonizing chapter in the Jets-Brady relationship is the story of the 2000 NFL Draft. This moment represents the single biggest missed opportunity in franchise history, a sliding-doors moment that could have completely rewritten the NFL landscape.

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In the 2000 Draft, the New York Jets held four picks before the New England Patriots finally selected Tom Brady with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round. According to multiple reports, the Jets' scouting department had Brady on their radar.

Bill Parcells' Crucial Decision

A Jets personnel man, long before Brady became a legend, reportedly had his sights set on the quarterback from the University of Michigan.

The ultimate decision, however, fell to then-Jets General Manager and Head Coach Bill Parcells. The Jets opted to use their early picks on players like Shaun Ellis and Chad Pennington, the latter of whom became a successful quarterback for the team, but was never a generational talent like Brady.

The story goes that a Jets scout "begged" Parcells to draft Brady, recognizing his potential. Parcells, known for his strong personality, passed on the opportunity, a decision that would haunt the organization for the next 20 years. Had the Jets taken Brady, the entire history of the AFC East—and the New England Patriots dynasty—would have been radically different.

The 2024 Haunting: Brady's Influence on Ex-Jets QBs

Even after his official retirement and transition into a minority owner role with the Las Vegas Raiders and a lead analyst for FOX Sports, Tom Brady has found fresh, updated ways to impact the New York Jets, particularly in the 2024 season and beyond.

The Jets, now led by veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, are attempting to finally break the "curse" of the AFC East and their own decades-long playoff drought. However, Brady’s new roles give him a unique, continued influence.

The Sam Darnold/Raiders Block

One of the most recent and telling examples of Brady's continued shadow came in 2024. Sam Darnold, the former Jets first-round pick who struggled in New York, became a free agent after a stint with the Minnesota Vikings.

Reports surfaced that the Las Vegas Raiders, where Brady is a minority owner, considered signing Darnold to bolster their quarterback room. However, according to Mike Silver of TheAthletic.com, Brady was reportedly "not in favor" of the Raiders signing Darnold.

This subtle but significant maneuver, reportedly stemming from Brady's influence, prevented a former Jets quarterback from finding a new home in a franchise Brady is now helping to build. It’s a modern twist on the old rivalry, where Brady's opinion, even as an owner, still holds enough weight to impact the careers of ex-Jets players.

The Analyst’s Critique of the Aaron Rodgers Era

As the lead analyst for FOX Sports, Brady will be spending the 2024 season dissecting the performance of every team, including the Jets and Aaron Rodgers. His critiques and analysis will carry immense weight, especially when discussing the team that he so thoroughly dominated for two decades.

Brady has already begun offering strategic advice, discussing the importance of receivers like Garrett Wilson and the pressure on Rodgers. While his commentary is professional, every word from the legendary quarterback about the Jets' performance is magnified, ensuring the narrative of his dominance remains a central theme in their 2024 season coverage.

Conclusion: The Perpetual Shadow

The relationship between Tom Brady and the New York Jets is a masterclass in NFL misfortune. It’s a story defined by a historical 31-8 win-loss record, the agonizing "what if" of the 2000 Draft, and a continued, almost comical, influence that extends into his post-playing career.

From the field to the owner's box and the broadcast booth, Brady remains the ultimate boogeyman for the Jets. Until the franchise can achieve their own sustained success, the shadow of Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. will continue to define their history and haunt their future.