Apparently, Madden is life for the Jets.
Jets owner Woody Johnson nixed a potential trade for former Broncos star and current Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy because his “Madden NFL” rating was too low, as relayed by former Jets general manager Joe Douglas to Denver, according to The Athletic.
Nixing that trade over a video game rating shows the alleged influence Johnson’s teenage sons, Brick, an 18-year-old freshman at Harvard, and the younger Jack, have within the organization.
It also allegedly was not the only time that Johnson referenced Madden ratings regarding a decision.
Johnson declined comment regarding the allegations to the outlet and the Jets disputed the claims of the sons’ influence.
“It is used as a reference point; it is not determinative,” the spokesperson told The Athletic. “It’s really sad that an adult would use a misleading anecdote about teenagers to make their father look bad. It’s ridiculous, quite honestly, the idea that this was used to influence the opinion of experienced executives.
“(The sons) have no roles in the organization. It’s completely ridiculous to suggest that any outside info is intended to replace the opinions of (Woody Johnson’s) staff.”
With the Jets missing the playoffs for an active big four record 14th straight season, all eyes are on Johnson and how he will attempt to fix his floundering franchise.
Johnson fired Douglas along with coach Robert Saleh this season and it did not change his team’s fortunes.
The Athletic’s piece stated sources believe Johnson is “consumed” with the public’s perception of his team, even once holding onto the last pick of the draft so the Jets could trade “Mr. Irrelevant.”
Johnson also allegedly now leans more on his teenage sons, even including them in meetings at the team’s Florham Park facility.
The sons are believed to be the reason why Johnson will share social media reactions or X posts from various outlets with the team’s top executives.
Douglas also told confidants, per The Athletic: “I answer to a teenager.”
“When we’re discussing things, you’ll hear Woody cite something that Brick or Jack read online that’s being weighed equally against whatever opinion someone else in the department has,” one anonymous Jets executive told the publication.
Johnson also allegedly referenced Madden ratings this offseason before the Jets signed free agent offensive lineman John Simpson, with the owner showing resistance due to a poor “awareness” rating.
While a poor Madden rating is alleged to have been a hold up in the Jeudy non-trade, a source told The Post’s Brian Costello at the time that the Broncos rejected the Jets’ offer because it included veteran Allen Lazard and a third-day draft pick.
Denver did not want Lazard and the remaining three years on his contract and they ultimately shipped Jeudy to Cleveland for a fifth- and sixth-round picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jeudy has been one of the NFL’s best receivers this year despite inconsistent quarterback play in Cleveland, totaling 70 catches for 1,052 yards and four touchdowns.
The Jets eventually traded for Aaron Rodgers’ pal Davante Adams, who has played well but did not save the team from its downward trajectory with two wins in its past 11 games.
The report also claims Johnson and his wife, Suzanne, also have allegedly disparaged players in the locker room, with Johnson reportedly telling former quarterback Mike White, “You should throw your helmet, you f–king suck,” after a 2022 loss to the Seahawks.
He apologized to White for the remark, a team spokesperson told The Athletic.
Brick has not been shy about showing the access he is afforded by being the owner’s son.
He previously posted an Instagram photo of him in 2021 holding a phone inside the Jets’ draft room with the caption “Welcome to NY.”
A source told Page Six at the time that Brick “really wants to get more involved” with the Jets and “he wants to learn the ropes of the team and get more involved as he gets older.”