The New York Jets’ turbulent season has gone from bad to worse, and fans are directing their fury at owner Woody Johnson. According to The Athletic’s Zack Blatt and NFL insider Dianna Russini, Johnson reportedly developed buyer’s remorse over Aaron Rodgers, allegedly suggesting the star quarterback be benched just five games into the season. This revelation has ignited a firestorm of criticism from Jets fans, who took to social media to vent their frustration, branding the franchise as dysfunctional and calling for Johnson to “sell the team.”
The backlash was immediate and scathing. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) voiced their disdain for Johnson’s alleged interference. “This is what happens when non-football owners start making decisions,” one user wrote, while another called the team “a joke of a franchise.” Others expressed sympathy for long-suffering Jets fans, lamenting the state of a team that started the season with high hopes but now sits at a dismal 3-8. With the Jets on a bye week before facing the Seattle Seahawks on December 1, the mood around the team remains bleak.
Johnson’s interference reportedly extended far beyond the quarterback controversy. The same report revealed that Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh without consulting the team’s leadership, effectively sealing General Manager Joe Douglas’s fate. Johnson also blocked Douglas from replacing key personnel, including Chad Alexander, who left for the Los Angeles Chargers, and allegedly pressured him into firing assistant Rex Hogan, a trusted colleague. Frustrated by Johnson’s meddling, Douglas reportedly told his staff, “Woody should just fire me now.”
The owner’s involvement in player transactions has also been a point of contention. Johnson reportedly vetoed a trade with the Denver Broncos that could have brought Jerry Jeudy to the Jets in exchange for Allen Lazard and a draft pick. Instead, Jeudy ended up with the Cleveland Browns, where he signed a lucrative extension. Meanwhile, Johnson’s push to acquire underperforming players like wide receiver Mike Williams and offensive tackle Tyron Smith further derailed the team’s progress.
In perhaps his most controversial moves, Johnson declined to extend key pass-rushers Bryce Huff and Haason Reddick, weakening the Jets’ defense. He also benched rising safety Tony Adams and orchestrated the high-profile trade for Davante Adams, which has yet to yield results. For many fans, Johnson’s decisions have solidified the perception that the Jets’ struggles are rooted in ownership, leaving them to wonder how much longer the franchise can endure such mismanagement.
