Woody Johnson’s Controversial Decisions
Woody Johnson is, frankly, not doing a great job. He’s often seen as one of the NFL’s least effective owners. Recently, he took a step that raised eyebrows by blaming quarterback Justin Fields for the team’s issues, while also trying to shield first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. Yes, Fields did struggle during the Week 7 loss against the Panthers, but the backup, Tyrod Taylor, who came in during the second half, didn’t fare any better—throwing two interceptions and completing less than half of his passes.
This situation reflects poorly on the entire team. Glenn is trying to reshape the Jets’ culture and is already dealing with a less-than-ideal roster. Yet, rather than acknowledge those broader challenges, Johnson chose to single out Fields.
“It’s tough when you have a quarterback of our rating. He’s got the ability, but something’s not working. When you have a quarterback like that as a head coach, you’re going to see similar results across the league. You’ve got to be consistent at that position, and that’s what we’re going to try to do the rest of the season.”
It’s somewhat shocking that Johnson would view drafting a quarterback as unnecessary. Just because he has resources doesn’t mean he gets football. His remarks, which should have remained behind close doors with the coach, blew up into a media frenzy, as he seems to equate his wealth with expertise.
“I don’t think anything will happen if I talk to him,” Fields mentioned after Wednesday’s practice. “It doesn’t make me play better. It doesn’t make me more confident on the field. So I don’t necessarily think there’s any point in talking about it, and I don’t think he’s going to come and talk to me.”
It’s clear Fields has had a tough couple of weeks. While he did shine against the Cowboys on October 5th—completing around 70% of his passes for 283 yards and throwing two touchdowns—his performances against the Broncos and Panthers left much to be desired. But there’s more to the narrative.
Sure, Fields wasn’t great, but running back Breece Hall had his own inconsistencies, which diminished the threat of play-action and hampered the RPO game. Plus, the team’s star receiver, Garrett Wilson, was sidelined with injuries. To make matters worse, the offensive line has been a disaster, allowing 31 sacks in just seven games, committing unnecessary penalties, and failing to hold blocks.
Yet, in the end, Johnson decided to lay all the responsibilities at Fields’ feet.
Quarterbacks usually receive a lot of attention, and while that’s part of the job, owners shouldn’t be weighing in like they own the issues on the field. Ultimately, something needs to change.
No matter what conclusion you draw, Johnson’s involvement has made him look foolish, and he’s steered clear of addressing what should be a locker room conversation.
