Owner Woody Johnson’s decision-making has come under fire, with reports from The Athletic revealing that his teenage sons, Brick and Jack, have had a surprising influence on key decisions.
Their observations, often sourced from online chatter, were given the same weight as professional opinions, leading to bizarre outcomes.
Former GM Joe Douglas reportedly lamented, “I answer to a teenager,” after Johnson vetoed a trade for Jerry Jeudy because of his low Madden rating.
Even the signing of free-agent guard John Simpson was nearly derailed over his “awareness” rating in the game, though Simpson ultimately joined the team and performed well.
Wild: #Jets Owner Woody Johnson vetoed a potential Jerry Jeudy trade this past offseason because his Madden rating wasn’t high enough, per @TheAthleticNFL pic.twitter.com/C29ArH60B5
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 19, 2024
The dysfunction extended beyond the front office into the locker room and sidelines.
During a Halloween win over the Houston Texans, Brick Johnson grabbed a game ball intended for interim coach Jeff Ulbrich and presented it to wide receiver Garrett Wilson in an expletive-filled announcement.
The incident, later posted on Instagram, left players visibly uncomfortable, with one calling it “the most awkward, cringe-worthy, brutal experience” they had endured.
Such moments weren’t isolated. In a 2022 playoff-ending loss, Woody Johnson reportedly told quarterback Mike White, “You f---ing suck,” after White played through broken ribs, further straining the relationship between players and ownership.
Woody Johnson didn’t trade for Jerry Jeudy because of his Madden ratings?!?!
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 19, 2024
We knew this all along….This is one of the most dysfunctional organizatons because of one guy.
I feel horrible for Jets fans. pic.twitter.com/x5pFU9Ozpu
Mike White played against the Seahawks with broken ribs in 2022. They lost, and in the locker room threw his helmet.
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 19, 2024
Woody Johnson responded by saying “you should throw your helmet, you f—king suck.”
The Jets say Woody apologized later on.
More: https://t.co/p5lvmoWP1X pic.twitter.com/PRSjtT0teJ
Even Aaron Rodgers, brought in as the franchise savior, couldn’t escape the dysfunction.
After urging patience with head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Rodgers watched as Johnson fired Saleh the next day.
With a 4-10 record, a 14-year playoff drought, and vacancies at head coach and general manager, the Jets are heading into a critical offseason under the shadow of Rodgers’ dissatisfaction and an ownership that seems unable to steer the franchise in the right direction.
Photo Credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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