NFL Owner Is Reportedly Taking Orders From His Teenage Sons

One team executive says Johnson's sons have a level of influence within the organization that some feel is troubling.

“When we’re discussing things, you’ll hear Woody cite something that Brick or Jack read online that’s being weighed equally against whatever opinion someone else in the department has,” the executive said.

Some in the organization believe that Johnson's reliance on his sons has influenced his evaluation of potential players. 

According to The Athletic, Johnson was against a potential trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy because his rating in the "Madden" video game wasn't high enough.

Johnson was also against the idea of signing guard John Simpson because he had a low awareness rating in Madden. The Jets did so anyway, and he's been one of their better players this season.

A Jets spokesperson said that Johnson sees suggestions from Brick and Jack as a "reference point."

"It’s really sad that an adult would use a misleading anecdote about teenagers to make their father look bad. It’s ridiculous, quite honestly, the idea that this was used to influence the opinion of experienced executives," the spokesperson said.

“(The sons) have no roles in the organization. It’s completely ridiculous to suggest that any outside info is intended to replace the opinions of (Woody Johnson’s) staff.”

“There are organizations where it is all set up for you to win,” one player who spent 2023 with the Jets said.

“It feels completely different (with the Jets). It’s the most dysfunctional place imaginable.”

If the team's record and lack of playoff success is any indication, it seems that the player is correct in their assessment.