Tag: Woody Johnson

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) limps off the field during a play where it appeared he had gotten injured, Sunday, December 22, 2024, in East Rutherford. Rodgers was back on the field during Gang GreenÕs next possession.

Aaron Rodgers on his Jets future: ‘You should ask Woody’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Aaron Rodgers has made it clear that if he plays a 21st NFL season in 2025, he’d like to do so with the New York Jets. But he’s tried to turn the spotlight on the team’s owner, Woody Johnson, when the topic of his future arises.

Asked Tuesday whether he believes the organization wanted him back next year following another disappointing campaign, Rodgers acknowledged that several decision-makers have to be put in place before the Jets plan their future. New York fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season.

“There’s a GM that has to get hired, I would assume first, and then he’s going to be part of hiring the head coach,” Rodgers said, “so I have to be in the plans of multiple people, starting with the ownership and then the GM and then the head coach.”

Rodgers was asked if he believes Johnson wants him to return.

“You should ask Woody,” Rodgers said, later adding that he and the owner have not had any conversations about his future with Gang Green.

His comments to reporters came one day after his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” where he also discussed his playing future and seemed to poke fun at Johnson.

“Being released would be a first; being released by a teenager, that would also be a first,” Rodgers said with a laugh Monday. “So, hey, I’m open to everything and I find the comedy in all of it. If that happens, hey, it’s a great story.”

Rodgers was referring to a report by The Athletic last week that said Johnson has been swayed by advice from his teenage sons, Brick and Jack, including about whether to pursue trades for certain players.

The Jets would absorb a $49 million dead cap hit if they release or trade Rodgers this offseason.

After his first season with New York was ruined four snaps into Week 1 when he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, Rodgers has thrown for 3,511 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year as the Jets have gone 4-11.

Rodgers is playing through an MCL injury but said Tuesday there was “no way” he wouldn’t play in the Jets’ Week 17 game against the Buffalo Bills.

–Field Level Media

Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (left) and owner Woody Johnson pose for a photo during the introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Report: Jets owner suggested benching QB Aaron Rodgers

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The New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8, and they fired general manager Joe Douglas on Tuesday.

Yet team owner Woody Johnson reportedly sought another huge move that didn’t happen: the benching of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Athletic reported Tuesday that Johnson advocated a QB change in a Sept. 29 meeting.

Per the report, Johnson brought together a group of coaches and front office staffers in the wake of a 10-9 home loss to the Denver Broncos that dropped the Jets’ record to 2-2.

Johnson advocated installing Tyrod Taylor at quarterback in place of Rodgers, according to The Athletic. Douglas and the coaches, including Saleh, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and Jeff Ulbrich, then the defensive coordinator, now the interim head coach, reportedly were shocked by the suggestion, with one participant asking Johnson if he was being serious.

The meeting ended with the idea being dismissed.

Rodgers, a 40-year-old veteran who is a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, has started every game this season for the 3-8 Jets. He has completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 2,442 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Last year, his first with New York, Rodgers sustained a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon early in the opening game.

In his career, largely with the Green Bay Packers (2005-22), Rodgers has a 151-83-1 record as a starter with 61,497 passing yards, 492 passing touchdowns and 112 interceptions.

Taylor, 35, went 2-3 as a starter for the Jets last year. A former Pro Bowl performer with the Buffalo Bills who also has played for the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans and New York Giants, Taylor owns a career 28-28-1 record in a starting role.

This season, Taylor has completed 6 of 8 passes for 36 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and head coach Robert Saleh leave the field after the first half of their game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers denies role in Jets firing Robert Saleh

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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Wednesday that he had no involvement in the team’s firing of head coach Robert Saleh.

Shortly after the news broke on Tuesday morning, speculation ran rampant on social media that Rodgers played some role in the Jets’ decision to move on from Saleh after the team’s 2-3 start to the season.

Rodgers, however, denied any advance knowledge or influence in the matter while making his weekly appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it, and that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false,” Rodgers said.

“It’s interesting the amount of power people think I have, which I don’t. But I love Robert.”

Jets owner Woody Johnson said Tuesday that Rodgers had no input on the team’s decision to part ways with Saleh. Johnson admitted that he spoke with general manager Joe Douglas before saying, “this was my decision, and my decision alone.”

Rodgers confirmed that Johnson reached out to him on Tuesday to check on his health. The four-time NFL MVP sustained an ankle sprain during New York’s 23-17 setback to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in London.

“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “I just appreciate the call that he was checking on me. It was like a friend call.”

Rodgers said he primarily was thinking about Saleh the family man, more so than Saleh the coach.

“He’s got seven kids, he’s got an incredible wife, and the business of football can be hard,” Rodgers said. “It’s tough on the families, and I’ve gotten to know Robert’s family.”

Speaking of Saleh, he released a statement on Wednesday morning thanking the Jets for his three-plus years as the head coach.

“To the Jets organization, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible people,” Saleh said in a statement obtained by the NFL Network. “I will always be appreciative of the love and support from everyone at 1 Jets Drive.

“To all of the players, I truly love and appreciate every single one of you. The character of the men in the locker room made coaching you guys the ultimate privilege. Through all the ups and downs, each and every one of you showed up every day and attacked every moment.

“To my fellow coaches and staff, it has been an honor to work with all of you. Every one of you were ‘all in’ and made sacrifices for one another that will never be forgotten. I wish you all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season.

“To the most passionate fan base in the NFL, thank you for embracing my family. It has been a pleasure calling New York our home and we will forever appreciate all of the memories that were created here.

“With Love and Regard,

“All Gas No Brake!!!”

Saleh, 45, compiled a 20-36 record with no playoff appearances in 56 games since taking over the Jets in 2021. New York last made the playoffs in the 2010 season, losing in the AFC Championship Game for the second straight year.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will be the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Ulbrich, 47, was hired by Saleh as the Jets’ defensive coordinator in January 2021. He was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 after coaching their linebackers from 2015-19. He played linebacker for the 49ers from 2000-09.

The Jets return to action on Monday against the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills (3-2) in East Rutherford, N.J.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in attendance at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Jets owner takes aim at Robert Saleh, Joe Douglas, Zach Wilson

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson put head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas on notice during an interview at the NFL Honors awards show in Las Vegas.

Making his first public comments since opting to stick with Saleh and Douglas, Johnson made it clear on Thursday night that the Jets’ 7-10 record in the 2023 season wasn’t acceptable.

“We have all this talent and we have to deploy talent properly. So I think they all got the message. This is it. This is the time to go. We’ve got to produce this year,” Johnson said. “We have to do a lot better than seven (wins), definitely.”

Sure, expectations were high after the Jets acquired four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers in the offseason. Four snaps into the season opener, however, Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear that Johnson equated to “having your arm chopped off.”

The Jets own an 18-33 record in three seasons under Saleh and 27-60 mark under Douglas. They have a 13-season playoff drought, the longest among the major sports leagues in North America.

When asked about areas need to be addressed this offseason, Johnson took aim at backup quarterback Zach Wilson without mentioning his name.

“You need a backup quarterback,” Johnson said. “We didn’t have one last year.”

Wilson struggled mightily after replacing Rodgers, limping to a 4-7 record this season and 12-21 overall with the Jets.

The Jets are expected to trade Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, this offseason.

Wilson’s season ended with a 60.1 percent completion mark for 2,271 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was sacked 46 times for 340 yards.

He has thrown for 6,293 yards with 23 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 34 career games (33 starts).

–Field Level Media

Apr 26, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) (center) is introduced during the introductory press conference alongside general manager Joe Douglas (left) and head coach Robert Saleh (right) at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-USA TODAY Sports

Jets owner: Robert Saleh, GM Joe Douglas to return in 2024

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson confirmed Sunday that head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas will return for the 2024 season.

“My decision is to keep them,” Johnson told the New York Post. “I think we’ve had some very positive moves. The culture of the team is a lot better. The defense is better. The offense needs a few pieces.”

The main piece added in the offseason was star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, however the four-time NFL MVP sustained a torn Achilles on the fourth offensive play in the season opener on Sept. 11. The Jets have limped to a 5-9 record and will miss the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season.

New York has a 16-32 record under Saleh and a 25-55 mark since Douglas was hired in 2019. The Jets have not more than seven games in a season under their leadership.

NFL.com reported that the Jets are expected to keep offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett for the 2024 season. Hackett was the offensive coordinator in Green Bay from 2019-21 and worked with Rodgers there.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson reacts during an NFL International Series game against the Atlanta Falcons at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Jets 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jets owner ready to find ‘missing piece’ QB, return to playoffs

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Jets head coach Robert Saleh believes purported franchise quarterback Zach Wilson needs a break. The owner of the New York franchise might be more willing to offer a permanent vacation.

Woody Johnson said Thursday that he’s willing to spend big money this offseason to bring in a veteran the owner believes is “kind of the missing piece.”

“We’ve got to get better faster,” Johnson said of the Jets, who fired offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and could make other changes to reset the offensive side of the roster.

Johnson said “full autonomy” was granted for Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas to make changes. Johnson plans to encourage the team to hold onto Wilson, who was benched after a 10-3 loss to the Patriots sparked the team’s stumble to a 1-7 record in the final eight games.

The Jets were last in the AFC East for the seventh time in nine years. Their last playoff appearance was 2010.

Not developing a quarterback — Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Sam Darnold and Wilson have had multiple seasons at the helm from 2011-22 — continues to concern Johnson.

Johnson said letting Wilson develop behind a veteran starter has been his preference from the time the Jets drafted him No. 2 overall in 2021.

“Zach had a tough year. There’s no denying that,” said Johnson. “I still have confidence that I’ve seen some kernels of real talent there. But the confidence level … whatever it was, went down.”

Wilson had six touchdowns and seven interceptions in his second season as the starter. The Jets averaged 17.4 points and ranked 25th in total offense at 318.2 yards per game.

But New York’s defense — and Saleh’s specialty — brings cause for optimism, Johnson said. The Jets were fourth in total defense and third against the pass in 2022.

Based on the success of the defense, Johnson believes a similar improvement is possible with the right offensive coordinator in place next season. He insisted there was no mandate placed on Douglas or Saleh to be in the playoffs next year, but traced his expectations nonetheless.

“This team is loaded, I think, and ready to go,” Johnson said.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; New York Jets owner Woody Johnson reacts during an NFL International Series game against the Atlanta Falcons at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Jets 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Woody Johnson poised to make offer on Chelsea

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New York Jets owner Robert “Woody” Johnson is poised to make an offer to buy Chelsea FC of the English Premier League, ESPN reported Monday.

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich currently owns Chelsea but is looking to sell the club for $2.24 billion, per the report.

Abramovich apparently is selling the club given the pressure on western countries to seize assets of those who have ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Johnson would join other NFL owners who own Premier League teams. Rams owner Stan Kroenke owns Arsenal F.C.; the Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, own Manchester United; and the 49ers’ Jed York has a minority stake in Leeds United.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan owns Fulham F.C. of the EFL Championship. That club is poised for a promotion back to the Premier League.

Johnson, 74, was the ambassador to the United Kingdom in former President Donald Trump’s administration. He purchased the Jets in 2000.

–Field Level Media

Oct 10, 2021; London, England, United Kingdom; New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacts in the first half against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL International Series aame at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Falcons defeated the Jets 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Jets owners has ‘unwavering’ support for Robert Saleh

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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson on Tuesday threw his “unwavering” support behind coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas despite the team’s 1-5 record.

Johnson made the comments from the NFL owners’ meetings in Manhattan in the aftermath of the Jets’ 54-13 loss to the New England Patriots.

Johnson said he spoke with Saleh and Douglas, just six games into Saleh’s tenure. Johnson said he has “unwavering, steadfast confidence” in what they’re doing to rebuild the team. Douglas was hired in 2019.

“I’ve been around for, this is going on 22 years, with my little absence that I had recently, and this is a good group,” Johnson told reporters. “We will get it right. Last week, you know, (was) frustrating, but now we turn the page and we’re off to the Bengals.”

Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson was injured in the game and is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks.

“It’s just a very young team with a young quarterback,” he continued. “He’s 22 years old, he just turned 22. So he’s seeing things for the first time like a lot of the quarterbacks now, a lot of the young quarterbacks. It’s going to take him a little bit of time, but I have a lot of confidence in Zach, too.”

Backup quarterback Mike White will make his first NFL start for the Jets at home Sunday against Cincinnati (5-2).

–Field Level Media