The New York Jets are the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL, and not just because they have missed the playoffs every year since 2010.
According to a new and damning report by The Athletic, their owner, Woody Johnson, has also actively meddled in the team’s decision making process. But, wait, there’s more: at one point, he apparently has done so for the most stupid reason imaginable.
He nixed a trade because of a player’s Madden rating:
Douglas and his Broncos counterpart, George Paton, were deep in negotiations for a trade that would have sent Jeudy to the Jets and given future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers another potential playmaker. The Broncos felt a deal was near. Then, abruptly, it all fell apart. In Denver’s executive offices, they couldn’t believe the reason why.
Douglas told the Broncos that Johnson didn’t want to make the trade because the owner felt Jeudy’s player rating in “Madden NFL,” the popular video game, wasn’t high enough, according to multiple league sources. The Broncos ultimately traded the receiver to the Cleveland Browns. Last Sunday, Jeudy crossed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.
Johnson acquired the Jets in 2000. Since then, they have won one division title and six playoff games. 2024 will be their 14th straight season without a playoff appearance.