Woody Johnson’s Unorthodox Approach: Did A Madden Rating And Social Media Derail the New York Jets’ Season?

The New York Jets’ 2024 season has been anything but conventional, marred by unusual decision-making at the top. In a bizarre twist, Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly nixed a potential trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy — not because of performance metrics, but because of Jeudy’s Madden NFL video game rating.

According to The Athletic, Johnson vetoed the deal last offseason, citing Jeudy’s low Madden rating. Jeudy, instead, joined the Cleveland Browns, where he thrived with 1,052 receiving yards, ranking fifth in the NFL. This decision underscores a growing concern within the organization about Johnson's reliance on video game statistics and opinions from his teenage sons, Brick and Jack Johnson.

The report notes that Johnson’s sons have increasingly influenced key decisions, often using social media to gauge public sentiment about the Jets. Their feedback, based on online chatter and Madden stats, has at times carried equal weight to professional evaluations. An unnamed Jets executive described meetings where Johnson referenced something Brick or Jack read online, suggesting those opinions were being weighed alongside expert analysis.

Further evidence of these unorthodox methods emerged when Johnson initially opposed signing free-agent guard John Simpson due to his low "awareness" rating in Madden. Simpson eventually joined the team and performed well, yet the Jets struggled to a disappointing 4-10 record.

The dysfunction reached a boiling point this season. After a 1-3 start, Johnson reportedly proposed benching star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Although Rodgers remained the starter, head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas were fired midseason. Critics argue these decisions reflect the chaotic influence of unverified social media chatter and video game metrics on the franchise's leadership.

Players have reported awkward interactions, including Brick and Jack handing out game balls in the locker room, leaving staff and players uncomfortable. As the Jets face an uncertain future, questions linger about whether teenage input and social media sentiment can steer a professional football team to success.

Aaron Rodgers spoke to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson on October 7, the day after New York's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London, which dropped the team’s record to 2-3. During the conversation, Rodgers implored Johnson to remain patient with head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett.

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Source: The Guardian

Photo Credit: NFL/EA