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5) Vinny Testaverde
Testaverde signed with the Jets prior to the 1998 season. In that season, he threw for 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, completing 62% of his passes. Testaverde went to the Pro Bowl, and the Jets reached the AFC Championship.
In the ensuing season, the Jets were expected to excel; many analysts picked them to reach the Super Bowl. In classic New York Jets fashion, Testaverde tore his ACL in the first game of the 1999 campaign. However, Testaverde went on to have some success even after his injury. He played all 16 games in both 2000 and 2001.
In 2000, Testaverde was part of the ‘Monday Night Miracle’ game, in which the Jets came back from a 30-7 deficit heading into the fourth quarter, to beat the rival Dolphins.
The veteran QB would re-join the team in 2005, after a one-year stint with Dallas in ’04, to round out his NYJ career.
New York Jets Career Totals: 59% completion rate; 12,497 yards; 77 Touchdowns (TDs) to 58 Interceptions (INTs).
4) Wayne Chrebet
Chrebet signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent, after being denied a selection in the 1995 NFL Draft.
As a smaller (and white) receiver, out of a small school in Hofstra (which no longer has a football program), Chrebet was a long shot to make the Jets roster — to say the least. Chrebet embraced the underdog role and ended up making the roster. He played for the Jets for his entire 11-year career, through 2005.
In 1998, Chrebet racked up 75 catches for 1,083 yards and eight touchdowns. Chrebet quickly became a fan favorite, and the Jets treasured their diamond in the rough. He will be best known for his clutch 3rd-down receptions.
Wayne Chrebet was a tough, fearless receiver, who unfortunately had his career ended short, due to concussions.
New York Jets Career Totals: 580 receptions; 7,365 yards; 41 TDs.
3) Don Maynard
Maynard played one season for the Giants before being released. He was then signed by the Jets — who were then the New York Titans — becoming the very first player to sign with the franchise.
Maynard went on to have a tremendous career. He was Joe Namath’s top target. In 1967, Maynard caught 71 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was an extremely important player in 1968-69, when the Jets won their first, and only (to this date), Super Bowl (SB) title.
In the AFC Championship Game preceding the SB win, Maynard accumulated 118 yards and two TDs.
Today, Maynard is a member of the Jets’ Ring of Honor and NFL Hall of Fame. His jersey number, 13, is also retired by the franchise.
2) Kevin Mawae
Center Kevin Mawae signed with the Jets in 1998, following four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He quickly became the anchor of the Jets’ offensive line.
The Jets ran the football extremely well during Mawae’s time as center, and helped pave the way for Curtis Martin to have success as a Jet.
Mawae was an eight-time career Pro Bowler, which included a stretch from 1999-2004 — seeing a Pro Bowl selection each year.
He also built a starting streak of 177 straight games, before injuring his triceps in 2005. Mawae was named to the 2000′s NFL All-Decade Team and the New York Jets All-Time Four Decade Team. He retired in 2010, after four seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
1) Curtis Martin
The one-and-only Curtis Martin signed with the Jets after the 1997 season, following his former head coach Bill Parcells, from New England to Gang Green. Martin signed a contract with the Jets that had certain clauses which ensured that the Patriots would not retain him for more than one year, even if they were to match the Jets’ offer sheet. In turn, the Patriots would file a complaint about this contract language to the NFL, winning their case to receive the Jets’ first and third round selections in the 1998 draft.
Regardless, Martin was worth all of it.
During his eight season tenure (’98-’05), he was the New York Jets’ workhorse running back. His best statistical season came in 2004, when he rushed for 1,697 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Martin was, and will always be, loved by Jets fans — who were ecstatic when he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2012. The Jets have retired his jersey number, 28.
New York Jets Career Totals: 2,530 carries for 10,302 rushing yards; 367 receptions for 2,439 yards; 63 combined TDs; (He even had 2 passes, each for a TD.)
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