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New York Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly had some choice words for Mike White, one of his franchise’s starting quarterbacks, back in 2022.
The Athletic released a feature on the 4-10 Jets this week and in multiple ways it does not paint the 77-year-old owner in a positive light.
At the top, the report stated that Johnson got involved with roster decisions former New York general manager Joe Douglas would try to make. That note said Johnson would form his opinions on NFL players partly based on their player ratings from the EA Sports “Madden 24” NFL video game.
In a more reality-based mention from the feature, Johnson had unleashed some feelings about White back in 2022.
After a gutsy effort playing injured against the Seattle Seahawks that year in Week 17, White and the Jets fell short and were eliminated from the postseason.
Unhappy, White showed frustrations in New York’s locker room and Johnson made a head-turning remark after the 23-6 loss.
The Athletic said “multiple Jets players” reported that Johnson said “you should throw your helmet, you [expletive] suck” after White’s helmet toss in the locker room after the defeat. The update added that Johnson felt the need to apologize after, adding some weight to the report of Johnson’s actions:
Mike White played against the Seahawks with broken ribs in 2022. They lost, and in the locker room threw his helmet.
Woody Johnson responded by saying “you should throw your helmet, you f—king suck.”
The Jets say Woody apologized later on.
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— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 19, 2024
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After that season, White decided to sign with the Miami Dolphins in 2023… and he still resides in the AFC East with the division’s Super Bowl contender: the Buffalo Bills.
Johnson has received criticism throughout the 2024 season from fans but no one can force him to sell the team. In one aspect, reports and rumors criticizing him might have helped in one way.
After letting Douglas go, New York announced that a group from the The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting media outlet would assist Johnson in their search for a new general manager and head coach. That group was founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum and ex-Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
Who knows how much say The 33rd Team will have in decision making, but regardless, it’s a sign–at least on paper–that Johnson is distancing himself from decision making.