1989 New York Jets season

The 1989 New York Jets season was the 30th season for the franchise and the 20th in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 8–7–1 record from 1988 under head coach Joe Walton, hoping to return to the playoffs for the first time since 1986.

Instead, the Jets finished the season with a record of 4–12, their worst since 1980. They lost six of their first seven games to start the year and finished with three consecutive losses, two of which were shutouts. Their last place finish in the AFC East, combined with fan discontent at the Jets’ play, led to Walton’s firing at the end of the season.

Roster
{{NFL final roster
 * year    = 1989
 * team    = New York Jets
 * prefix  =
 * active  = 47
 * inactive = 13
 * PS      = 2

{{NFLplayer|11|Tony Eason}} {{NFLplayer|15|Kyle Mackey}} {{NFLplayer| 7|Ken O'Brien}} {{NFLplayer|10|Pat Ryan|d=American football}}
 * quarterbacks =

{{NFLplayer|30|Brad Baxter|rookie=y|FB}} {{NFLplayer|29|A. B. Brown|rookie=y|KR}} {{NFLplayer|34|Johnny Hector}} {{NFLplayer|24|Freeman McNeil}} {{NFLplayer|43|Roger Vick}}
 * running_backs =

{{NFLplayer|87|Chris Burkett}} {{NFLplayer|89|Phil Epps}} {{NFLplayer|88|Al Toon}} {{NFLplayer|83|Jo-Jo Townsell|KR/PR}}
 * wide_receivers =

{{NFLplayer|84|Chris Dressel}} {{NFLplayer|86|Keith Neubert}} {{NFLplayer|83|Greg Werner|rookie=y}}
 * tight_ends =

{{NFLplayer|60|Dan Alexander|d=offensive lineman|G}} {{NFLplayer|66|Dave Cadigan|G}} {{NFLplayer|61|Jeff Criswell|T}} {{NFLplayer|79|Mike Haight|G}} {{NFLplayer|70|Jeff Oliver|G/T}} {{NFLplayer|75|Adam Schreiber|C/LS}} {{NFLplayer|74|Curt Singer|d=offensive lineman|T}} {{NFLplayer|53|Jim Sweeney|d=American football, born 1962|C}}
 * offensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|90|Dennis Byrd|rookie=y|DE}} {{NFLplayer|91|Paul Frase|DE}} {{NFLplayer|94|Scott Mersereau|NT}} {{NFLplayer|77|Gerald Nichols|NT}} {{NFLplayer|96|Ron Stallworth|d=American football|rookie=y|DE}} {{NFLplayer|97|Marvin Washington|rookie=y|DE}}
 * defensive_linemen =

{{NFLplayer|54|Troy Benson|OLB}} {{NFLplayer|52|Adam Bob|rookie=y|ILB}} {{NFLplayer|59|Kyle Clifton|ILB}} {{NFLplayer|55|Alex Gordon|d=gridiron football|OLB}} {{NFLplayer|56|Jeff Lageman|rookie=y|OLB}} {{NFLplayer|51|Joe Mott|rookie=y|OLB}} {{NFLplayer|92|Ken Rose|d=gridiron football|OLB}}
 * Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|42|John Booty|SS}} {{NFLplayer|35|Kerry Glenn|CB}} {{NFLplayer|40|James Hasty|CB}} {{NFLplayer|28|Carl Howard|CB}} {{NFLplayer|48|Bobby Humphery|CB/KR}} {{NFLplayer|20|Leander Knight|FS}} {{NFLplayer|22|Erik McMillan|FS}} {{NFLplayer|25|George Radachowsky|SS}}
 * defensive_backs =

{{NFLplayer| 5|Pat Leahy|d=American football|K}} {{NFLplayer| 6|Joe Prokop|P}}
 * special_teams =

{{NFLplayer|31|Marion Barber Jr.|RB|IR}} {{NFLplayer|81|Billy Griggs|TE|IR}} {{NFLplayer|84|Michael Harper|d=American football|WR|IR}} {{NFLplayer|93|Marty Lyons|DE|IR}} {{NFLplayer|57|Kevin McArthur|LB|IR}} {{NFLplayer|68|Reggie McElroy|T|IR}} {{NFLplayer|36|Rich Miano|S|IR}} {{NFLplayer|27|Stevon Moore|rookie=y|S|IR}} {{NFLplayer|82|Mickey Shuler|TE|IR}} {{NFLplayer|23|Irvin Smith|rookie=y|CB}IR}}
 * reserve_lists =


 * practice_squad =


 * Active=47|Inactive=13}}

Milestones

 * Ken O'Brien had his third season with at least 3,000 yards passing.