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Another week, another damning report about the toxic culture that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has instilled in the franchise. This week, reports indicate that Johnson’s young sons Brick and Jack have free reign over the locker room, as they’ll bring friends, male and female, in after games.
The report comes from The Athletic, who have been extensively covering the Jets disastrous 2024 season, which has season the franchise extend its playoff drought to 14 years, the longest postseason absence in the four major American sports leagues.
The report also details an incredibly awkward moment following the Jets win over the Houston Texans on Halloween night, which saw Brick Johnson give out a game ball to wide receiver Garrett Wilson despite the game representing interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich’s first win.
“Rodgers walked into an energized locker room with a game ball in hand, and it was expected that he’d give the ball to Ulbrich, a customary gesture when a coach gets his first NFL win. But before Rodgers could speak, Brick Johnson took another game ball and awarded it to wide receiver Garrett Wilson in a profanity-laced exclamation, which the owner’s son later posted to Instagram.”
“Woody Johnson then gave Ulbrich the ball Rodgers had been holding. Multiple players said the energy felt drained out of the room.” [via The Athletic]
According to an anonymous player who spoke to The Athletic for the report, the moment was “the most awkward, cringe-worthy, brutal experience.”
Perhaps even more shocking is the news that Johnson allegedly nixed a trade for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy because he was unimpressed by his rating on the Madden video game.
“I answer to a teenager,” former general manager Joe Douglas apparently told those close to him before being fired earlier this season.
Woody Johnson has owned the Jets since the year 2000 and has overseen just one division title and six playoff appearances. The Jets will close out their miserable 2024 campaign with matchups against the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills, and Miami Dolphins.