New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has broken his silence on rumors suggesting his teenage son, Brick Johnson, has an outsized role in the team’s decision-making process. Speculation about Brick’s involvement gained traction last month following a report from The Athletic, which claimed that Johnson’s sons, Brick and Jack, have been attending team meetings and influencing organizational discussions.
The Allegations
According to the report, Woody Johnson has been including his sons, particularly 18-year-old Brick, in Jets-related meetings since last year. Members of the Jets’ front office reportedly began noticing Woody referencing things his sons had read online during strategic discussions.
One of the more outlandish claims alleged that the Jets refrained from pursuing a certain player in a trade due to concerns over his Madden video game rating. This rumor even caught the attention of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who jokingly commented on the possibility of being cut by a teenager.
Woody Johnson Responds
In an interview published Monday by the New York Post’s Brian Costello, Woody Johnson dismissed the rumors as baseless and untrue.
“I think the article is a typical smear piece—unsubstantiated,” Johnson said. “Nobody really stood up and put their name on anything. It’s absolutely untrue. Everything was out of context. When you’re losing games, it gives people the artistic license to kind of do what they want.”
Johnson unequivocally stated that Brick has no formal role within the Jets organization and that the idea of him wielding influence is far-fetched.
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An “Apprenticeship,” Not Decision-Making
While denying Brick’s alleged decision-making power, Johnson did confirm that he has included both Brick and Jack in team meetings and activities, describing their participation as an “apprenticeship.”
“They’re learning about the business, observing how things work,” Johnson explained. “But they have absolutely no authority to make decisions.”
Johnson framed this as a way to involve his sons in the family business without giving them undue influence.
A Franchise Under Scrutiny
The rumors about Brick’s involvement come at a time when the Jets are under intense scrutiny following a disappointing season. The team’s struggles on the field, coupled with persistent front-office criticism, have created a fertile environment for speculation and sensational claims.
Johnson attributed the timing of the report to the team’s poor performance, suggesting that losing games invites criticism and scrutiny from all angles.
Aaron Rodgers Weighs In
Even Aaron Rodgers, known for his sharp wit, couldn’t resist addressing the rumors. The star quarterback joked about potentially being cut by a teenager, adding a humorous twist to an otherwise contentious story.
Moving Forward
Woody Johnson’s firm denial is an attempt to quell the chatter and refocus attention on the team’s efforts to turn things around. However, the idea of a teenager influencing a multi-billion-dollar NFL franchise has captured the imagination of fans and critics alike, making it a story that may not fade quickly.
As the Jets regroup for the offseason, Johnson’s hope is that the focus will shift back to football and away from unsubstantiated rumors. Whether the public buys into his explanation remains to be seen, but for now, the Jets owner has made his stance clear: Brick Johnson’s role is limited to observation, not influence.
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