Even 3-13 teams produce inspirational performances.
The Jets are no different.
On Friday, the players voted for Isaiah Williams to be the “Curtis Martin Team MVP’, perhaps the most unlikely recipient of all to be honored in team history.
The 24-year-old kicker returner and receiver, of course, was released by the Jets after a poor performance against the Dolphins in Week 4, fumbling a kickoff and fair-catching a punt at the 3-yard line.
Williams was re-signed after being cut and finished with two punt returns for TDs, averaging 14.1 per return, and he returned 23 kickoffs for an average of 30.2 yards per return.
“I thought that was really special because I think from the outside, even from the inside, I don’t think anybody thought that he would be voted MVP,’’ Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said. “He was [written] off and, man, for him to go about his business and not be swayed by all the negative talk, I thought it was outstanding and now for him to be the MVP of this team, that is just a story in itself and I’m very, very proud of him.’’
Williams’ tale has been storybook — undrafted, signed off the Bengals practice squad after the season began, cut, re-signed and returning two punts for a TD — the second of which came in the second meeting with Miami.
“If you would have told me I would be Team MVP by the end of the season, I would have probably looked at you crazy,’’ Williams said. “After I got cut, I thought I was going to be on a practice squad for the rest of the year, just working, getting better. And then if the opportunity came, it came.”
Jets special teams coach Chris Banjo called Williams’ season and receiving the award “tremendous,” adding, “To see the way he started the year and what he’s been able to do since, his commitment to who he is as a person but also his growth and development as a player, has been really cool to see.”
DT Harrison Phillips was awarded the “Dennis Byrd Most Inspirational’’ award.
Phillips was also the recipient of the Gerald Eskenazi Media Good Guy Award for most cooperative player, named after the long-time Jets beat writer for the New York Times.
Joe Tippmann, who moved from center to guard this season, was named the “Kyle Clifton Good Guy Award.’’
Olu Fashanu was named the “Ed Block Courage’’ award recipient, starting all 17 games at left tackle.
LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball was given the “Marty Lyons Community Service’’ award for his generosity in the community.
And rookie CB Azareye’h Thomas was given the “Bill Hampton’’ award as the rookie who acts most like a pro.
Running back Breece Hall, who was limited in practice again on Friday, is not among the players who are ruled out for the game due to injury, but don’t expect him to be in uniform Sunday.
Hall, who has been battling knee soreness, eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing last week and is in the final year of his contract. Call it a business decision.
Among the players ruled out are TE Mason Taylor, RB Isaiah Davis, DL Michael Clemons, CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, TE Jelani Woods and OL Xavier Newman.
Jets kicker Nick Folk, who somehow was robbed of being named to the Pro Bowl after making 28-of-29 field goals (96.6 percent) and all 22 of his PATs, told The Post on Friday he “wants to keep playing’’ in 2026, but still wants to talk it over with his wife and kids.
Folk, who’s 41 and in his 18th season, is a free agent after this season.
He has twin 12-year-old sons who are accomplished soccer players in the youth system of MLS team Dallas FC, and logistics regarding managing their budding careers and schedule will be a topic of conversation with his wife.
He said he has not spoken to the team about returning, but plans to do so on Monday, the day after the season.
Remarkably, the Jets starting offensive line will line up together for the 17th consecutive game this season on Sunday, which is a rarity.
Fashanu (992 snaps), LG John Simpson (968), C Josh Myers (1,000), Tippmann (999) and RT Armand Membou (999) have played in 4,958 of the 5,000 total offensive snaps, 99.2 percent of the available snaps.
It’s the first time the Jets have started the same OL all season since 2012.
“You don’t see that too often, to where you have five guys have that continuity game after game, improving, getting better week after week and not one of them go down,” Glenn said. “That’s a credit to those guys taking care of their bodies and understanding what they need to go out and compete every week.”
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