New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson is back in the spotlight this week after an explosive report accused the former ambassador of passing over a trade for Cleveland Browns star receiver Jerry Juedy due to his Madden NFL rating.
a report of The Athletic released Thursday morning painted a picture of dysfunction for the organization, which missed the playoffs for the 14th consecutive year, the longest active streak in the NFL.
New York Jets fans during the fourth quarter between the New York Jets and the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium on December 1, 2024. (Images by Mark Smith-Imagn)
At the center of that dysfunction, according to the report, is Johnson.
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One example detailed in the report was the Jets’ decision to cancel a trade with the Denver Broncos involving former first-round pick Jerry Jeudy. Sources told The Athletic that despite negotiations from former general manager Joe Douglas and interest from his counterpart, George Paton, the deal was canceled because Johnson was influenced by the player’s rating in Madden NFL.
“Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson did not want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in ‘Madden NFL,’ the popular video game, was not high enough, according to multiple league sources,” according to multiple league sources. read in the report. Instead, Jeudy was traded to the Cleveland Browns.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, #3, runs against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
The rating of the video game also influenced others football decisions, according to the report, including Johnson rejecting the hiring of guard John Simpson.
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Perhaps most troubling, however, were claims from sources that Johnson’s two teenage sons had influence in the decision-making.
“When we discuss things, you’ll hear Woody quote something Brick or Jack read online that compares equally to whatever opinion anyone else in the department has,” a current team executive told the outlet.
A spokesperson dismissed this claim in a statement to The Athletic.
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson walks onto the field before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on December 8, 2024. (Jasen Vinlove-Image Images)
“It is used as a reference point, it is not decisive,” they said of the opinion of Johnson’s children. “It’s really sad that an adult would use a misleading anecdote about teenagers to make his father look bad. Honestly, the idea that this was used to sway the opinions of seasoned executives is ridiculous.”
The spokesperson added that they have “no role” in the organization and called it “completely ridiculous” to imply otherwise.
After firing both the head coach and general manager and demoting their offensive coordinator, the Jets’ offseason will once again feature more turnovers and, hopefully, fewer leaks.
