Jets vice chairman makes big claim about this year's team

New York Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson spoke with reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday and shared why he's convinced this year's edition of the team won't produce a "same old Jets" type of season. 

"This team has character," Johnson explained, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. "We’ve all seen Jets teams pack it in in the past — mail it in, whatever. These guys haven’t done that. They are seemingly rising — and you love to see it." 

The Jets lost starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles early into their regular-season opener and later dropped three straight games to fall to 1-3. 

Head coach Robert Saleh could have faced a locker-room mutiny for his public support of struggling signal-caller Zach Wilson as early as five weeks into the campaign, but the Jets then defeated the Denver Broncos on Oct. 8 before Gang Green shocked many in the NFL community with a 20-14 victory over the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday. 

"I’m just happy where we are right now," Johnson continued during his comments. "Coach Saleh said it the other day, and I think they can go toe-to-toe with any team out there. It’s awesome." 

Rodgers generated plenty of sports headlines when he walked without crutches and tossed passes at MetLife Stadium ahead of the Philadelphia clash, and it's thought he could make a remarkable return to the lineup as soon as December. 

The future Hall of Famer is making no promises as of the middle of October regarding his playing status, but Johnson said Tuesday the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player is a "superhuman" athlete. 

"Just doing those passes — I mean, just walking — it’s absolutely amazing," Johnson added about Rodgers. "I’m not going to say he can’t do it. It would be cool to see if he did it. So we will see, guys."

The Jets entered their Week 7 bye at 3-3 and next face the New York Giants (currently 1-5) on Oct. 29. OddsChecker listed the Jets as +450 underdogs to qualify for the playoffs as of Tuesday afternoon, but it sounds like Johnson believes Saleh's squad can and will prove doubters wrong.