There are several dysfunctional organizations around the NFL, but few (if any) have exhibited the level of incompetence that the New York Jets have showcased over the years.
There have been many questionable calls made by Jets owner Woody Johnson and his front office staff, and the latest one to be revealed just might be the worst one of them all. Worse than drafting Zach Wilson and giving up on him after two years. Worse than putting all their marbles on a 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers…
Even worse than trading a third-round draft pick on a washed-up Davante Adams when they were 2-4 on the season and a long-shot to get into the playoffs.
According to the report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Jets general manager Joe Douglas had a trade lined up to acquire former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. The deal would have given the team another young wide receiver to build their offense around, but there was just one issue: His Madden rating was too low.
Seriously. Woody Johnson “did his own research,” which apparently consisted of him firing up his gaming counsel and checking out Jeudy’s Madden Rating. And when he saw that the 25-year-old former first-round pick was only an 81 before the start of the 2024 campaign, he nixed the deal.
Blocking the deal alone wouldn’t have been the worst decision for Johnson and the Jets. After all, Jeudy’s NFL career had been a disappointment up until that point. Had Johnson singled out his inability to gain 1,000 yards in his first four seasons or his reputation for being soft after his public spat with former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith, declining the trade would be understandable.
But vetoing a trade because of a Madden rating? That’s a new one for us.
Jerry Jeudy Is Having A Breakout Campaign In 2024
While the decision offers a bad look at the Jets, it has certainly worked out well for Jeudy.
The 15th overall pick from 2020 has come alive in Cleveland, putting up 1,052 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games thus far. Most of his production has come with Jameis Winston under center, as had some monster performances following Deshaun Watson’s season-ending injury.
Those include performances with 142, 235 and 108 yards against the Saints, Broncos and Chiefs, respectively.
The Browns may have found themselves the number one wideout they’ve been searching for, and they have Woody Johnson’s incompetence to thank for it.
