I can say with certainty that Woody Johnson, the team’s owner, has reached a critical juncture in his 24-year tenure. With the Jets struggling at 2-4 and their playoff hopes in jeopardy, Johnson has made a series of bold moves in a desperate attempt to salvage the season.
The last chip Johnson has played was the acquisition of star receiver Davante Adams in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. This move, made just days after Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh, is a clear sign that the owner is all-in on turning the Jets’ fortunes around.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL owners’ fall meeting in Atlanta, Johnson sounded bullish on the impact Adams will have, saying, “We want to bring a lot of change this week.” When asked if he thinks this season is still “salvageable,” Johnson responded, “Salvageable? We’re going to perform exceptionally well. We’re going to do really well.”
Bold words from a desperate owner who has run out of excuses. The Jets’ performance under interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich against the Buffalo Bills on Monday night mirrored the problems under Saleh’s leadership, including 11 penalties, a 1-for-4 performance in the red zone, and two missed field goals.
Now, Johnson and the Jets are staking their hopes on the reunion of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his former Packers teammate, Adams. Will it be the catalyst that makes the Jets great or another failed attempt to turn the franchise around?
Receiver Allen Lazard, who also played with Rodgers in Green Bay, believes the addition of Adams is a game-changer. “The connection, the chemistry that those two have, is instant. Having that ability obviously adds another level to our offense and makes it a lot more challenging.”
However, the challenges the Jets face go beyond their receiving corps. With 16, they tie for the seventh-most sacks allowed, and the 40-year-old Rodgers has absorbed his fair share of hits. Additionally, Rodgers holds a tie for the third-most interceptions in the league with five.
Can the addition of Adams really solve these issues? Steelers coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t seem convinced, saying, “Justin [Fields] has been really good, and we’ve been really good at times, but not to be confused with great.”
The Jets’ game against the 4-2 Steelers on Sunday night will be a crucial test. As Lazard put it, “It’s a must win. We’re 2-4 right now, and I think our talent definitely isn’t a reflection on our record. We’ve got to put together four excellent quarters and do whatever it takes to come out of there with a W.”
The Steelers, on the other hand, are making a significant change at quarterback, benching Justin Fields in favor of the veteran Russell Wilson. Tomlin believes the Steelers’ ceiling is higher with Wilson under center, and it will be fascinating to see how this move pans out.
Many around the league, including Bill Belichick, who worked for the Jets organization early in his career, have criticized Johnson’s actions. Belichick, speaking on the ESPN alternate broadcast during the Jets’ loss to the Bills, ripped into Johnson, saying, “It seemed quite early to me to be making a coaching change. … They have only managed to win over 30% of games in the last 10 years. The owner, being the owner, should always be prepared, ready, and aim.
Belichick’s scathing assessment of Johnson’s leadership reflects the sentiment of many in the NFL circles. Mike Silver of The Athletic revealed that other owners do not view Johnson favorably, stating, “I admire his intentions, but I just think he’s really bad at running an NFL team.” Actually, time has proven that I don’t think so.
Given the precarious state of the Jets’ season, Johnson has taken a decisive stance. The addition of Adams may provide a temporary boost, but the underlying issues that have plagued the team for years remain. “Desperate times call for desperate measures,” and Johnson’s options are limited.
The Jets’ game against the Steelers on Sunday night will be a crucial test, not just for the team’s playoff hopes but for Johnson’s legacy as the owner. If the Jets fail to turn things around, the calls for Johnson to sell the team or make sweeping changes to the front office and coaching staff will only grow louder.
The performance of the team inextricably links Woody Johnson’s fate to the future of the New York Jets. “The responsibility lies here,” and Johnson has no place to retreat. The time for excuses has passed, and the time for results has arrived.