For years, the national media has had no problem coming at the New York Jets. Whether it was Mark Sanchez’s “butt fumble” on ESPN’s “Not Top Plays” for an eternity, Adam Gase’s opening press conference,
or the follies that typically follow the Jets, national media coverage has always been skewed with the NY-based team being the butt of many jokes. Yet, somehow, NY Jets owner Woody Johnson somehow managed to miss any stray criticism headed his way.
Even when the owner was given an “F” grade by the players in their NFLPA surveys, it was largely ignored by the media despite some concerning statements the players had given.
“They talked about the culture — it’s a problem, top down,” NFLPA chief strategy officer J.C. Tretter told reporters at the scouting combine, referring to the Jets’ survey. “[The players said,] ‘It’s a culture of fear here.’ And I think that stood out in those grades.”
However, times have changed – and now former players with a national stage are starting to take their shots at the NY Jets owner.
Not Good Owner in Terms of Winning
During the NFL’s fall meeting in New York last week, NY Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, and essentially said what most fans have felt for years.
When asked what makes him a good owner, Johnson had a truly bizarre response that shows that he may truly live in a fantasy world.
Just after ripping Justin Fields, Johnson stated he was “obviously not a good owner in terms of winning.” He also went on a longwinded rant about how he can relate to the players, despite being given an “F” by that same group in the aforementioned NFLPA survey. The same survey that Johnson tried to discredit after the grades were announced.
Perhaps buying yourself a gold chain to show off to players 50 years younger than yourself isn’t as relatable as it seemed.
And, the results speak for themselves.
Since taking over as an owner, Johnson has the fourth-worst winning percentage in the NFL. And, despite playing in New York’s massive media market, the organization has had an incredibly difficult time bringing in talented players and coaches in free agency – without paying a premium. Lest we forget, Johnson being the lead man for New York is also what caused Bill Belichick to inexplicably resign as the head coach.
Now, the media is starting to take theirs hots at the ineptitude of Johnson as an owner, too.
Alex Smith Rips Woody Johnson
Speaking on NFL on ESPN, Alex Smith came right at the NY Jets owner for his comments regarding Justin Fields last week. And, the former NFL quarterback didn’t pull his punches.
“It’s rock bottom because of this guy,” Smith said in regards to Johnson. “It’s impossible to overcome dysfunctional ownership. This is the definition of it, Woody Johnson. Listen I’ve lived it, trust me, I know. How many head coaches and quarterbacks have this guy mowed through?”
However, he didn’t stop there.
“Maybe the problem is you, Woody. Maybe we look in the mirror. You have the longest playoff drought in all of the NFL [and all sports, chimed in Mike Greenberg]. It starts at the top, and it trickles down. This is cowardly. This is an owner that is deflecting because his organization is terrible.”
Somewhat lost in the Johnson slander, was Justin Fields’ reaction to it all.
The Revenge Game of All Revenge Games
Despite starting the season 0-7, the NY Jets actually won a 1-point game over the Cincinnati Bengals and former Jets quarterback Joe Flacco. There was improvement from the head coach, the players showed fight, and Justin Fields looked better than he did in many contests this year. Yet, little knew the toll that Woody Johnson’s comments would have on the team’s starting quarterback.
“I’m going to get pretty vulnerable right here,” Fields said in the postgame press conference. “This week I found myself in my closet crying on the ground, lying down. Not because of the hardships, not because of the troubles. I felt like I was built to handle that … Yesterday I was just praying over and over and over again, just one win.”
While the quarterback eventually dismissed the owner’s comments as outside noise, it’s hard to believe they didn’t have an affect on his mental state considering the media sensation Johnson’s comments caused. For an owner to publicly say that about a premier player on the team is unheard of, and put massive amounts on presser on both Fields and head coach Aaron Glenn.
“It’s been a lot for me emotionally, spiritually. When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying, not because we won but because of the goodness of God,” Fields said. “Everything I’ve been through this past week, everything that we’ve been through as a team these past seven weeks, it was a lot of ups and downs, and I got a lot of support from my teammates, from my brothers, from my family, from my friends, and most of all I’m just thankful.”
While the high road being taken by the players and coaches of the Jets is admirable, it shouldn’t let criticisms of Johnson go by the wayside. In fact, hopefully those comments, and the elongated list of problems regarding ownership, encourage more criticism by those with a national platform. Perhaps, it could lead to some real change to an organization that desperately needs it.
