The saying “All roads lead to Rome” could easily be adapted for the NFL to reflect the constant spotlight on the New York Jets. The team has rarely been out of the news, facing challenges such as losing streaks, playoff exits, mid-season coach firings, and the dismissal of their general manager shortly after.
Recently, attention has shifted to the Jets’ billionaire owner, Woody Johnson, who ranks as the 388th-richest person in America with a net worth of $3.4 billion. A report from The Athletic revealed surprising insights into Johnson’s management style, including a claim that he vetoed a trade for Jerry Jeudy after finding his Madden rating unimpressive. This revelation quickly gained traction, leading to a strong reaction from sports commentator Dan Le Batard.
On the Pablo Torre Finds Out show, Le Batard criticized Johnson, describing the team as merely a toy for him to play with, while also alluding to his questionable reputation. He further commented on Johnson’s tendency to involve his children in team decisions, including a suggestion to bench Aaron Rodgers to provoke a reaction from the players.
Despite these controversies, Johnson has presided over the Jets’ status as the fifth-most-valuable NFL franchise, with Forbes estimating its worth at $6.9 billion in 2024.
Looking ahead to 2025, the Jets face significant uncertainty. They currently lack both a general manager and a head coach, and the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains unclear.