Jets Owner Woody Johnson’s Shocking Reaction to Rodgers Injury

Four plays into the 2023 season, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the only player bound for the injured reserve list of the New York Jets. Following his arrival in Las Vegas for the NFL Honors, Woody Johnson, the owner of the Jets, shared his sentiments

about witnessing Aaron Rodgers’s injury just minutes into his big-city career.

Johnson’s “injury” was incidental, to be sure, but symbolic none the less. “How

does it feel to have your arm severed?” When questioned about his response to

Rodgers’ ripped Achilles tendon, Johnson responded in a rhetorical manner,

according to Antwan Staley of the New York Daily News. That’s all there is to it.

Looking at the Jets’ statistical records reveals why Johnson’s farewell to arms was well-founded: after the team was unable to improve its passing depth during the offseason, Zach Wilson, a first-round washout, was forced to start for the Jets and finished with a 4-7 record and a 77.2 passer rating, which ranked him 30th among eligible throwers. Wilson was not specifically mentioned by Johnson, but he was brutally honest about Wilson’s efforts to fill in. According to Staley’s allegation, Johnson stated, “We need a backup quarterback.” “It wasn’t here the previous year.”

Along with quietly handing over a significant portion of personnel management to Rodgers, the Jets also brought in a number of former Packers, including Tim Boyle, who served as his backup at one point, with varying degrees of success. To further elaborate on the Jets’ upcoming offseason efforts, Johnson hinted that any potential additions will carry an offensive focus, as he’s been content with a defense that boasts several young elite talents like Sauce Gardner, Bryce Huff, and Quinnen Williams. Only time will tell if Johnson has learned from his mistakes.

The Jets now have a little over $4.9 million in salary space, though some releases might give them more.

Prominent hypothetical backup options for the 2024 passing draft include Tyrod

Taylor, Ryan Tannehill, Gardner Minshew, and Marcus Mariota.