Every NFL team starts the season with the goal of winning the Super Bowl. Front offices make moves, while players and coaches work hard to rack up wins and make it to the playoffs. Some teams consistently reach the postseason, while others struggle to do so.
Here’s a look at the longest playoff droughts in NFL history, both current and all-time:
Active Droughts
- New York Jets – 14 seasons
- Last playoff game: 2010 AFC Championship Game vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Last playoff win: 2010 AFC Divisional Round vs. New England Patriots
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl III vs. Baltimore Colts (January 1969)
- Last Super Bowl win: Super Bowl III
- Carolina Panthers – Seven seasons
- Last playoff game: 2017 NFC Wild Card vs. New Orleans Saints
- Last playoff win: 2015 NFC Championship Game vs. Arizona Cardinals
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl 50 vs. Denver Broncos
- Last Super Bowl win: Never
- Atlanta Falcons – Seven seasons
- Last playoff game: 2017 NFC Divisional Round vs. Philadelphia Eagles
- Last playoff win: 2017 NFC Wild Card vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl LI vs. New England Patriots (February 2017)
- Last Super Bowl win: Never
- New Orleans Saints – Four seasons
- Last playoff game: 2020 NFC Divisional Round vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Last playoff win: 2020 NFC Wild Card vs. Chicago Bears
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XLIV vs. Indianapolis Colts
- Last Super Bowl win: Super Bowl XLIV
- Chicago Bears – Four seasons
- Last playoff game: 2020 NFC Wild Card vs. New Orleans Saints
- Last playoff win: 2010 NFC Divisional Round vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XLI vs. Indianapolis Colts (February 2007)
- Last Super Bowl win: Super Bowl XX (January 1986)
- Indianapolis Colts – Four seasons
- Last playoff game: 2020 AFC Wild Card vs. Buffalo Bills
- Last playoff win: 2018 AFC Wild Card vs. Houston Texans
- Last Super Bowl appearance: Super Bowl XLIV vs. New Orleans Saints (February 2010)
- Last Super Bowl win: Super Bowl XLI
All-Time Droughts
- Cardinals – 25 seasons (1949-1974)
- Washington – 25 seasons (1946-1971)
- Steelers – 24 seasons (1948-1972)
- Saints – 20 seasons (1967-1987)
- Cleveland Browns – 17 seasons (2003-2020)
- Buffalo Bills – 17 seasons (2000-2017)
- New York Giants – 17 seasons (1964-1981)
- Eagles – 17 seasons (1961-1978)
- Detroit Lions – 16 seasons (1936-1952)
- Cardinals – 15 seasons (1983-1998)
- Green Bay Packers – 15 seasons (1945-1960)
- Jets – 14 seasons (2010-2024)
- Cincinnati Bengals – 14 seasons (1991-2005)
- Buccaneers – 14 seasons (1983-1997)
- Kansas City Chiefs – 14 seasons (1972-1986)
- Cardinals – 14 seasons (1933-1947)
- Eagles – 14 seasons (1933-1947)
- Steelers – 14 seasons (1933-1947)
