What is culture in the NFL?
That very question has confounded the New York Jets for the last 15 seasons. It’s a key reason they hold the longest playoff drought in North American sports, completely unaware of how best to turn their fortunes around.
New York is trying again to end their drought this season with a different approach. This time, the organization has added several veteran players who share a common theme: each has been a key leader for successful teams around the league.
All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has long been known as one of the better players and leaders both on and off the field. Defensive tackle David Onyemata was a top-10 run-stuffing defensive tackle in 2025. His off-field work as a leader for Atlanta was well documented, as well.
Even Demario Davis, a former Jets draft pick in the early 2010s, returns for a shot at turning Gang Green into a winner. Davis comes back to New York after an eight-year run as the New Orleans Saints’ defensive captain.
But for every Davis, Fitzpatrick, or Onyemata, the main question remains:
Is it enough to change the Jets’ losing culture?
Davis defends Jets’ leadership
There are several reasons the Jets have failed to change their culture over the last two decades. Chief among them, though, is that when adversity hits, players and coaches seem to have no plan for moving past the struggles.
If a player is injured, the team turns away without a shred of belief that they can overcome the obstacle. If a losing streak happens, it takes just one play for people to sulk around knowing the avalanche is coming.
That’s the kind of culture New York is looking to change with its new leaders on defense. Chief among them is Davis, who offered one key line that can serve as the team’s map to success.
“Ships go into daylight because you hold on and hold steady through the storm. That’s all we need to do,” Davis told reporters Thursday afternoon.
Davis’ point is that the rest of the roster must be willing to work together to move past the trials and tribulations of an NFL season. Those comments were echoed earlier in the day from the All-Pro safety in Fitzpatrick.
“It’s extremely important,” Fitzpatrick said. “When things go bad, people want to press the red button. When guys who have done things at a high level for a long time, they know that there’s going to be bumps in the road, but have to keep going on and making small adaptations and playing good football.”
New York is well-versed in pressing the “red button” when things tend to go bad. The organization is coming off a three-win season and has its head coach on the hot seat entering his second season on the job.
That’s why Aaron Glenn is turning to some older veterans to help keep the “ship” afloat. Some of those leaders, like Fitzpatrick and Davis, are more outspoken about what must change for the team.
Others, like Onyemata, choose to go about things differently.
“I lead by example,” Onyemata said. “Go out there and show the guys how things are meant to be done in this league.”
Having a healthy blend of veterans leading by example and those who are more outspoken is important for any franchise. For New York, it’s a golden opportunity to lay the building blocks needed to finally turn itself into a winner.
Third time’s the charm
This isn’t the first time Davis has attempted to help change the Jets’ culture. The former third-round pick out of Arkansas State played for New York in the first four years of his career.
After a single season in Cleveland, Davis was back for the 2017 campaign, in which he led the league in solo tackles. But following a short stint in free agency, Davis found a home in New Orleans, where he became a five-time All-Pro linebacker.
Eight seasons have gone by since his last game as a member of the Jets. And as he prepares for a third stint, Davis has been clear that he fully understands what is expected of him and his teammates.
“I speak to the fans: I know what this city’s expectations are, and I know what this city desires,” Davis said. “I don’t come in with any false hope or false promises. I’m only letting you know that I’m committed to the work. That I’m here to serve. That I’m here to give every part of me, to help be a part of what’s being built, and to lead in a way that everyone who is watching will be proud of.”
The first thing New York will rely on Davis to do is to help change the locker room and culture of the organization. Anything the 37-year-old can put on the field will be seen as gravy for the 2026 season.
With the help of other aging veterans, Gang Green hopes its leadership team will finally be the right crew to turn the organization around for good and restore a winning culture to the franchise.
