The New York Jets’ tumultuous yr took one other activate Thursday.
It wasn’t one other firing or commerce, however a report from The Athletic detailed the dysfunction contained in the group over the previous yr. There have been quite a lot of surprising studies within the article, however one specifically stood out.
In line with Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, crew proprietor Woody Johnson vetoed a commerce for then-Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy due to his “Madden” ranking. Here is the reported story:
“The New York Jets’ proprietor was at his home in Palm Seashore, Fla., final February, discussing potential offseason acquisitions with crew decision-makers as they watched recreation tape. Extensive receiver Jerry Jeudy, a former Denver Broncos first-round choose, flashed on the display. Jets basic supervisor Joe Douglas expressed curiosity, in response to somebody accustomed to the assembly. Johnson took out his cellphone and began typing.
“Just a few weeks later, Douglas and his Broncos counterpart, George Paton, have been deep in negotiations for a commerce that might have despatched Jeudy to the Jets and given future Corridor of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers one other potential playmaker. The Broncos felt a deal was close to. Then, abruptly, all of it fell aside. In Denver’s govt workplaces, they couldn’t imagine the explanation why.
“Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in ‘Madden NFL,’ the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources. The Broncos ultimately traded the receiver to the Cleveland Browns. Last Sunday, Jeudy crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.”
A deal for Jeudy probably would not have saved the Jets’ season, however the story reiterates the construction of the group that hasn’t made the postseason since 2010 — the longest drought in skilled sports activities.
The Jets finally traded for Davante Adams as a part of a sequence of in-season strikes orchestrated by Johnson, together with firing head coach Robert Saleh after 5 video games and later parting methods with Douglas.
Listed here are a few of the different studies from Rosenblatt, Russini and Silver’s article:
“When we’re discussing things, you’ll hear Woody cite something that (his teenage sons) Brick or Jack read online that’s being weighed equally against whatever opinion someone else in the department has,” one Jets govt advised The Athletic.
Earlier than the 2024 season, Douglas reportedly advised shut buddies: “I answer to a teenager,” referencing Johnson’s sons.
Johnson reportedly permits his sons and their buddies entry to the crew locker room, the place solely gamers, coaches and different crew personnel are sometimes allowed. The sons reportedly have been heard bad-mouthing Jets gamers within the locker room after video games.
When the Jets traded Zach Wilson to the Broncos final April, Denver requested for the No. 257 total choose. Johnson instructed Douglas to as a substitute commerce the No. 256 total choose so the Jets may choose “Mr. Irrelevant,” the ultimate choose of the draft.
The Jets, now 4-10, will end their season with video games in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Payments and Miami Dolphins earlier than a crucial offseason.
