Since 1968, the New York Jets have not made a Super Bowl appearance, so the best we can do is root for our own elsewhere.

In 2016, the nation watched something Chicago Cubs fans thought never would happen, the end of a 108-year old drought. The New York Jets have not won a Super Bowl since 1968 — not quite 108 years, but long enough for Jets fans to say, “before I die.”

With only four conference championship games since their lone title, the Jets fanbase has not much to root for in the “Big Game.” It’s a heartbreaking reality when you look at how close they were in two of the four games.

The AFC championship game in 1998 is probably the most disheartening loss of the four. The Jets had dominated the east that year, finishing the season at 12-4. Gang Green dismantled a very good Tom Coughlin coached Jacksonville Jaguars team in the divisional round, to punch their ticket to Denver.

In Denver, the Jets would face the defending champs and their legendary quarterback, John Elway. The Jets kept it close throughout the first half, but a fourth quarter of mishaps and turnovers sealed the fate of Vinny Testaverde and his crew. The Jets ultimately lost the game 23-10 and Denver would go on to claim their second title in as many years.

The most recent conference title games occurred in 2009 & 2010. The first, ending in a blowout, a 37-10 loss to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts.

The second game the Jets came out flat, falling behind 24-3 at halftime. The Jets made a strong second half surge that fell short and the Pittsburgh Steelers would go on to fall to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV. That game summed up the Rex Ryan era in New York — a team that could do some things on offense and a strong defense, but not a team that could put it all together at the same time.

It has been hard to find something to root for on that special day at the end of the season. Too rarely does the game itself grab the fan base’s attention. However, if there is a silver lining, it is that some Jets players would go on to win Super Bowl Championships after leaving the “Big Apple.”

Here is a list of five New York Jets players who would go to another team to win a Super Bowl:

Kareem McKenzie

The Penn State lineman was selected as a third round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Kareem McKenzie became the right bookend to a New York offensive line that made the playoffs three of five years under Herman Edwards.

In his four seasons with Gang Green, he helped open up holes for running back sensation Curtis Martin, who led the league in rushing in 2004.

Sadly, 2004 would be McKenzie’s final year with the Jets, as he would join the crosstown rival New York Giants via free agency.

McKenzie would remain with the Giants for the remainder of his career. He retired at the end of the 2011 NFL season in splendid fashion with a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots. The second time he had been a part of a Giants team that would defeat the Pats in the Super Bowl.

In retrospect, there was never a reason for the Jets not to re-sign the Right Tackle. Just another example of “one that got away.”

Marvin Washington

Marvin Washington was a two-sport athlete while attending the University of Idaho prior to being drafted by the Jets. He was selected as the pick 151 in the 1989 NFL Draft, on his way to an eight-year tenure with New York.

While with the Jets, Washington was able to compile 37 sacks and 358 tackles. His best years coming in 1992 and 1993, where he created havoc in the backfield contributing to three forced fumbles.

Washington played one year with the San Francisco 49ers before being signed by the defending world champion Denver Broncos to add depth to their Defensive Line core in 1998. That same Broncos team that would beat the New York Jets in the AFC championship game and later go onto to claim their second of a back to back Super Bowls.

Marvin Washington was a solid dexpensive end for the New York Jets. Not great, not flashy, but he stayed healthy and was very productive.

Keyshawn Johnson

The New York Jets have had some diva wide receivers throughout their history, but none surpass Keyshawn “give me the damn ball” Johnson. The wideout was selected with the first pick of the 1996 draft out of the University of Southern California.

Johnson would be instrumental in Bill Parcells offense that turned a 1-15 team into AFC east division champs just two years later. The Parcells led Jets created a magical year in 1998, which ended bitterly, but the ride was worth it.

Keyshawn’s best game came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1998 AFC divisional round. Johnson collected nine catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. But that’s not all he contributed. With a minute left in the game and the Jets up by 10, defensive coach Bill Belichick inserted Johnson in on defense. With time running down and Mark Brunell passing under duress, Keyshawn would be on the other end of an interception that would seal the win.

But it wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies, as it rarely is for the Jets. Johnson’s controversial book, “Just Give Me the Damn Ball,” would lead to his departure from the franchise that drafted him. Prior to the draft, the Jets would receive two first round picks for Key from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After Tony Dungy fell short of winning the Super Bowl a year prior, newly appointed coach Jon Gruden would ride a great defense and the superior talents of his outspoken wide receiver to win Super Bowl XXXVII.

From a talent standpoint, Keyshawn may have been, arguably, the most talented wide receiver ever to don the green and white, but he talked his way out of town. It takes a special coach to harness the talents of a diva receiver, and the Jets had that in Bill Parcells. The two would later reunite in Dallas, but to think “what if” the two had stayed together in New York is something that’s frequented.

John Riggins

What if I told you the New York Jets would draft a player who would be considered one of the most ferocious running backs in NFL history, rush for over 11,000 yards, become Super Bowl MVP and a 1st Team All-Pro?

The only issue was, he’d do the majority of this with the Washington Redskins. 

John Riggins was about as unique of a player you could ever watch play the game — a true “iron man” of the sport who would conquer feats over the age of 30 that players 10 years younger have only dreamt of.

Riggins was drafted with the sixth pick in the 1971 NFL Draft out of the University of Kansas. The Jayhawk rushed for a mind-boggling 333 yards against the New England Patriots, in only his second year in the league. He became the first 1,000-yard rusher in Jets history.

“The Diesel” would depart the Jets after just four short years, joining the Washington Redskins in 1976, who at the time, gave him one of the most lucrative deals in the league. In his 10 years with the Redskins, his accomplishments and feats would earn him a spot on the NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team.

Riggins burst on the scene with Jets and was probably worth the contract he demanded when he left the Jets in 1976. It’s unfortunate that the Jets fan base only had a short window of an otherwise remarkable career.

This one hurts.

Darrelle Revis

As much as Riggins hurts, this one stings the most.

Darrelle Revis is arguably the greatest player to put on the Jets uniform. Considered the most skilled defensive back since Deion “Primetime” Sanders, Revis defined what a shutdown corner should be. In an era where the offense gets the benefit of the doubt on pass interference calls, no wideout enjoyed a trip to “Revis Island.”

Revis was drafted by the New York Jets after the traded up to the 14th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. It didn’t take long for the top wide receivers in the league to know when they face the Jets, how boring of a day they were about to have. The numbers aren’t overwhelming, but you just need to watch him defend and you realize why, in his prime, no one dares throw in his direction.

A seven-time Pro-Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Revis was, without a doubt, the best defensive of player in 2009 — a year that would lead to a “hold out” from training camp in the offseason over his contract. Contract disputes would become a common occurrence during Revis’ first go around with the Jets.

An issue that would lead to his trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. The marriage with the Bucs was short, ending after one year, and essentially making Revis available to the highest bidder. That bidder coming in the form of the Jets arch-nemesis, the New England Patriots.

With the help of Darrelle Revis, the New England Patriots would go on to win Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks. A game that saw only one reception to a receiver covered by Revis. The Patriots declined to pick up Revis’ contract, leading to his return to the Jets.

This one will haunt Jets the most. Not only is Darrelle Revis the best Jets fans have seen, it always seemed like ownership resisted giving him his just due. Sure, he was paid handsomely, but it always came at a cost of pride.

The Jets do not take care of their greats a fact that has come very evident.