April 16, Short Stay
All-Pro WR George Sauer announced his retirement after only six seasons of teaming up with Don Maynard and Joe Namath in the Jets' potent passing attack.
June 10, Biggs Begs Out
Weeb Ewbank had a player exercise his option for the first time as DE Verlon Biggs signed with Washington, with the Redskins sending two draft choices to the Jets.
November 28, Oh, Joe
Namath underwent surgery on his left knee after being hurt trying to make a tackle on a fumble return in the preseason opener against Detroit in Tampa (Aug. 7). After a streak of 19 regular-season games on the sideline, Namath returned in the second quarter vs. San Francisco and passed for 358 yards and three TDs in a 24-21 loss to the 49ers.
| Regular Season Record: 6-8-0 | |||||
| 09/19/71 | @ Baltimore | 0-22 | Stats | ||
| 09/27/71 | @ St. Louis | 10-17 | Stats | ||
| 10/03/71 | @ Miami | 14-10 | Stats | ||
| 10/10/71 | @ New England | 0-20 | Stats | ||
| 10/17/71 | Buffalo | 28-17 | Stats | ||
| 10/24/71 | Miami | 14-30 | Stats | ||
| 10/31/71 | @ San Diego | 21-49 | Stats | ||
| 11/07/71 | Kansas City | 13-10 | Stats | ||
| 11/14/71 | Baltimore | 13-14 | Stats | ||
| 11/21/71 | @ Buffalo | 20-7 | Stats | ||
| 11/28/71 | San Francisco | 21-24 | Stats | ||
| 12/04/71 | @ Dallas | 10-52 | Stats | ||
| 12/12/71 | New England | 13-6 | Stats | ||
| 12/19/71 | Cincinnati | 35-21 | Stats | ||
