Tag: Woody Johnson

Woody Johnson says Jets willing to stick to plan on Aaron Rodgers

Woody is getting anxious and even a little impatient.

The New York Jets want Aaron Rodgers. We’ve known this for weeks now. It’s just a matter of when it will happen. People are starting to get anxious. Particularly Jets owner Woody Johnson.

“I think we’re anxious,” Johnson said Tuesday at the owners’ meetings in Phoenix, via the New York Post. “We’re anxious, I guess. We look forward. We’re optimistic. We have a plan. We’re willing to stick with our plan. I don’t think anybody is hyperventilating.”

The comments on their plan coincide with comments from head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, who also continue to preach the Jets have their positions on getting this deal done with the Packers, who more or less said goodbye to Rodgers this week based on comments from head coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst. Especially Gutekunst, who mentioned he tried reaching out to Rodgers to no avail and was left with no choice but to “do his job.”

Johnson may not be hyperventilating, but he does seem to be getting impatient. “I’m not the patient sort, really,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to win. We’re in the win business, so we have to win now. That’s the same thing I said 23 years ago.”

The Jets have the longest active playoff drought in the NFL and will soon have the longest drought in all of sports once the NBA’s Sacramento Kings clinch a playoff spot. New York hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2010.

The teams continue to talk as they try to reach an agreement on compensation for Rodgers, particularly in terms of draft pick capital this year and, more importantly, next year depending on whether or not Rodgers actually plays in 2024.

The Jets abandoning their self-respect for Aaron Rodgers is so pathetic

The Jets’ blatant desperation for Rodgers is a little sad.

Aaron Rodgers is probably going to be a New York Jet.

He’ll look strange in their uniform and shoot down anyone searching for more clarifying nuggets, but the four-time MVP quarterback will likely (eventually?) wear the famed green and white.

Rodgers even discussing the Jets in public is undoubtedly a colossal triumph for this franchise. Before even throwing a single pass for them, he’s made New York the talk of the pro football world. Words can’t do this looming blockbuster trade justice for a team far more synonymous with football follies than any actual success.

If any bottom-feeding team needed someone like a 39-year-old, probably past-his-prime Rodgers to inject relevance, it’d be Gang Green.

And they know it, too. 

Moreover, the New York City media market would’ve never let the Jets live this failure down. After all this incessant flirting, can you imagine New York sports talk radio if Rodgers decides to retire or return to the Green Bay Packers?

It’d be apocalyptic. If I were in the shoes of chairman Woody Johnson or head coach Robert Saleh, I don’t think I’d show my face around Jets fans in public for a long time. The Jets painted themselves into a corner to make Rodgers a part of their plans, and they have to paint themselves out.

But the Jets don’t have to be so shamelessly brazen in their pursuit of Rodgers.

They don’t have to disregard their dignity for a person who is very likely using them as a conduit for a power trip more than his passion for JETS FOOTBALL. Rodgers does not care about the Jets as much as someone like the passionate “Fireman Ed.” Not that he has to reciprocate their adoration, but why is New York rolling out the red carpet repeatedly for a mercurial egotist who would cast them aside on a whim the moment it served his interests?

The Jets were and likely remain the only team truly interested in trading for Rodgers. Beyond the sensible football reasons, I’m reasonably confident that’s not a coincidence.

This sentiment might go double for players like Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. The First-Team All-Pro cornerback made a show of burning away an awesome early-career memento seemingly just so Rodgers would notice his embarrassing team. Meanwhile, Garrett Wilson could barely contain his joy on Twitter … days before Rodgers would clarify the latest developments.

It was all a little on-the-nose and completely irrelevant to competing for a Super Bowl title.

Which … I assume the Jets still want to do, right? Right? Maybe?

I understand the Jets’ eagerness for the first potentially legitimate franchise QB they’ve ever had since Joe Namath. I know the scars of Zach Wilson turning out to be a bust are still reverberating. Heck, there’s a distinct possibility New York’s loaded roster would’ve been playing in late January/early February this past season if Wilson was marginally competent.

So courting Rodgers and placating him almost every step of the way aligns with an organization that thinks the finish line is right there. It makes sense. I can’t deny it.

That said, and I might be wrong, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen an NFL team sacrifice all its pride for one player like Rodgers the way the Jets have.

I just hope the Jets don’t come to regret their relentless groveling.

Woody Johnson doubles down on Jets’ plans to acquire veteran quarterback

Woody Johnson wants his veteran quarterback this offseason

Jets owner Woody Johnson continues to sound open to the idea of the team landing a veteran quarterback to lead the charge in 2023.

Johnson spoke with ESPN’s Dianna Russini at the NFL Honors on Thursday and he was asked about the Jets’ plans to grab a quarterback this offseason and was specifically asked about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Johnson wouldn’t comment directly about Rodgers considering that would be tampering since Rodgers is still under contract with the Packers. But he did say that “you want the best quarterback that you can get.” Take that for what it’s worth, but most will argue at this point that Rodgers is the best the Jets can get.

Raiders quarterback Derek Carr could be seen as a backup plan for the Jets, but that plan could be closing in a hurry. Carr met with the Saints this week after the Raiders gave the Saints permission to meet with him. Carr still has his no-trade clause and can shoot down any potential deal. Cart’s $40.4 million salary becomes guaranteed on Wednesday.

Regardless, all signs still seem to point to the Jets pushing all their chips on the table for Rodgers. Johnson did also mention wanting to keep developing other young players — namely a certain former No. 2 overall pick.

Before anything happens, Rodgers is going on his “darkness retreat” to contemplate his future. It seems it’s going to be a bit before any sort of traction happens with the Jets and their quarterback pursuit.

He may not have directly said it, but deep down, there’s a playoff mandate from Woody Johnson

Do the Jets need to make the playoffs in 2023?

“I don’t do playoff mandates. Mandates don’t work.”

That’s what New York Jets owner Woody Johnson told the media Thursday when asked if the current regime has to make the playoffs in 2023. So at face value, you might think he just wants to keep seeing progress from head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.

But if you read between the lines, you can tell deep down he wants a playoff berth next season. “I want to win,” Johnson said Thursday. “This team is loaded and ready to go.”

“We’ve had a long wait,” Johnson said. “Fifty-four years from the last Super Bowl is too long, way too long. I’d like to change that fast, but mandates don’t work.”

54 years since their last Super Bowl and 12 years since they’ve even reached the postseason. Sure, mandates don’t work he’ll say and he may not be able to change his fortunes as fast as he’d like he’ll say, but eventually, he’ll grow frustrated with the lack of success. In fact, some of that frustration set in during the six-game losing streak because he sees the talent, especially on defense, and believes this team is ready to make a run.

“Our defense was an unbelievable story you saw this year, from last place to close to the top in defense in terms of every measurable,” he said. “If you can do the same thing on offense, it looks pretty good, right?”

That defense included rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner, who became the first rookie cornerback to be voted First-Team All-Pro since Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott in 1981.

Gardner also made the guarantee after the season finale against the Miami Dolphins that the Jets will make the playoffs in 2023.

That offense starts with the quarterback, specifically good quarterback play, which Johnson said is the “missing piece” to the offense. As a result, Johnson said he is “absolutely” open to Douglas going out and exploring paying big money for a veteran quarterback.

Could that mean Derek Carr? Jimmy Garoppolo? Perhaps even Aaron Rodgers? Time will tell.

Another question to answer is the future of Zach Wilson, who may be set for a backup role in 2023. Johnson still sounds like a believer in Wilson’s talent.

“Zach had a tough year, there’s no denying that,” Johnson said. “I still have confidence that I’ve seen some kernels of real talent there. … [His] confidence level, whatever it was, went down, so that was certainly frustrating for him. And then we had that rotation, which is very hard to do in the NFL — changing quarterbacks.”

Johnson even acknowledged that Wilson should have sat behind a veteran as a rookie. The problem was there wasn’t a veteran for Wilson to sit behind and there wasn’t much of a competition in camp. Not like James Morgan was going to beat out the No. 2 overall pick fresh off an incredible final season at BYU.

Douglas is entering Year 5 as general manager and Saleh is entering Year 3. They have yet to have a winning record and only once has Douglas not finished in last place in the AFC East (2019).

Saleh is now looking for his second offensive coordinator with Mike LaFleur off to pursue other opportunities, as the Jets put it. Johnson told the media he wasn’t part of the “decision-making tree” in LaFleur moving on and that he didn’t force any decision on Saleh regarding the now-former offensive coordinator.

However, according to a report from Jordan Schultz of The Score, Johnson has been “adamant” with Saleh that an upheaval of the offensive staff is necessary. That includes LaFleur, offensive line coach John Benton and quarterbacks coach Robert Calabrese.

The Jets are also going their separate ways with Benton but, for now, Calabrese is still with the team. That could change when the Jets find their new offensive coordinator.

Yes, they did win seven games this season, but they reached their 7th win in their 11th game. Injuries obviously played a huge factor, but to get to 7-4 and miss the playoffs is frustrating for any franchise, especially one that holds the longest postseason drought in the entire NFL. Johnson wants to win and he wants to win now.

Woody Johnson says there is no playoff mandate, but says team is ready to make a run

Woody Johnson says there is no playoff mandate

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is understandably frustrated that his team is once again sitting on the sidelines during the NFL playoffs and one has to wonder if his patience is wearing thin with the current regime.

Whether he is or not, Johnson is at least saying the right things in showing his support as best he can for Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas.

Johnson wouldn’t come out and say the playoffs are a must in 2023. “No, I don’t do mandates,” Johnson told reporters Thursday. “Mandates don’t work.”

Johnson did add that he believes the Jets are “loaded” and that they are “ready to make a run.”

“I want to win,” Johnson said.

That road to winning could include a veteran quarterback, as Johnson said he is “absolutely” open to the team going after a veteran quarterback. He said good quarterback play is the “missing piece” on the team, though he did note he does see talent in Zach Wilson.

At least from what he’s saying in public, Saleh and Douglas don’t seem to have much pressure on them in 2023. So he says.

 

Woody Johnson says good QB play is ‘missing piece’, is ‘absolutely’ open to paying for veteran

Good QB play is “missing piece” says Woody Johnson

It’s no secret to anyone the New York Jets were lacking in strong quarterback play in 2022, a big reason the team lost six straight after a 7-4 start and missed the playoffs for a 12th consecutive season. That includes owner Woody Johnson, who spoke to the media Thursday.

Johnson was asked about the quarterback play of the Jets compared to the rest of the team. He said good quarterback play is the “missing piece” for the Jets. Johnson sees the talent of the roster and how much potential they have. He noted how frustrating the final six games were because of that.

Johnson does believe Zach Wilson has talent, but that the switching of quarterbacks is “very hard to do in the NFL because the timing’s off.”

With the notion that the Jets will be in the market for a veteran quarterback, Johnson might have to be ready to open up the checkbook. That’s just fine by him. Johnson said he is “absolutely” open to general manager Joe Douglas going out and exploring paying big money for a veteran.

The Jets currently have about $3.6 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, but have plenty of ways to add cap space, whether that means cutting players or restructuring contracts.

One quarterback that will be available is Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who posted a goodbye to Raiders fans on social media. The Raiders are expected to explore the trade market for Carr, who has a no-trade clause in his contract. Carr is due salaries of $32.9 million, $41.9 million and $41.2 million over the next three seasons. An acquiring team may look to restructure that deal, perhaps via extension.

Will the Jets find that missing piece this offseason? They almost have to at this point or Woody Johnson may very well clean house in 2024.

Jets chairman Woody Johnson shares tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Jets chairman Woody Johnson remembers the late Queen Elizabeth II

The world lost British royalty Thursday. Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch, having served for 70 years, passed away at the age of 96.

New York Jets chairman Woody Johnson had the honor and privilege to meet Her Majesty back in 2019 during the 75th anniversary of D-Day while he was a United States ambassador to the United Kingdom. He shared a tribute on Twitter to the late Queen.

“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the embodiment of dignity and grace, serving longer than any monarch in British history,” Johnson tweeted. “I had the honor and privilege to meet and spend time with her which I will treasure forever.  My condolences to The Royal Family during this sad time.”

 

Jets donate $1 million to Ukrainian relief efforts

The Jets will send $100,000 donations to various charities to support the Ukrainian people as part of the $1 million aid.

The Jets will donate $1 million in relief aid to the people of Ukraine, the team announced Tuesday. The donations will be split among different charitable organizations that will each receive $100,000.

Suzanne Johnson, the wife of Jets owner Woody Johnson, has a special connection to Ukraine. She grew up in a Ukrainian neighborhood in New York, her maternal grandparents are from Ukraine, and her father immigrated to the U.S. after World World II at the age of 21 from Ternopil, a town outside of Kyiv.

“Today in Ukraine, many people are suffering. Because of this, it is important to us to provide assistance to organizations making a true difference on the ground,” Suzanne Johnson said. “My family and I are heartbroken by the devastation and loss and are praying for the individuals who have become refugees and those still living and working in Ukraine.”

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4 takeaways from Woody Johnson’s NFL owners meetings presser

Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke about the direction of the team and his optimism heading into the 2022 season.

For better or worse, Woody Johnson and his wallet control the future of the Jets as Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas head into their second season together.

Johnson spoke to reporters at the NFL Annual League Meeting on Monday and shared his feelings about the direction of the team, what Saleh and Douglas have done this offseason, and what the team’s No. 1 priority needs to be in 2022.

Here are four takeaways from Johnson’s press conference.

Jets owner Woody Johnson’s bid to buy Chelsea FC rejected

Jets owner Woody Johnson will not be being Chelsea F.C. after his bid of $2.62 billion was not accepted.

Woody Johnson didn’t win the bid to buy Chelsea F.C. from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Johnson’s bid, which was reported to be $2.62 billion, was not accepted by Abramovich’s sales advisors, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello. The Saudi Media Group and Turkish businessman Muhsin Barak were among those who lost out on the bid as well, while the Rickett’s family – which owns the Chicago Cubs – was among the bidders who remain on the shortlist.

Johnson cited his ambassadorship to the United Kingdom from 2017-2021 during Donald Trump’s presidency as a major reason for his desire to own the club. The Jets have also played in London multiple times, and the NFL granted them international home marketing rights in the United Kingdom.

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