ORLANDO — Jets owner Woody Johnson was not a happy camper when he spoke to reporters in February.
Johnson voiced his displeasure with Jets general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh about the team’s 7-10 season during the NFL Honor Red Carpet.
More than a month later, Johnson said his frustration stems from the lack of success the Jets have had the last 13 years.
“I like to win games like a lot of other owners,” Johnson said. “Losing games is not where we are in. We like to win games for the players and the fans.
“We want to win games and we are trying to put a team together. We really made good progress in trying to put a team together in order to make that happen.
“We go into every game thinking we are expected to win. We think we are going to win. The more we win, the better our chances, of course.”
It is no secret that 2024 is a critical season for many people in the Jets organization. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since 2010, which is the longest postseason drought in North American sports. The Jets also haven’t posted a winning record since 2015.
Last season was supposed to be the year the Jets ended their playoff drought after the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers. But Rodgers missed all but offensive four snaps after tearing his Achilles in the season opener against the Bills in Week 1.
Without Rodgers and with Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Trevor Siemian under center, the Jets offense was one of the worst in the NFL. They finished 31st in yards (268.6) and 29th in points per game (15.8).
In addition to the inconsistencies at the quarterback position, the Jets had 14 different offensive line combinations in 17 games.
“Offense, offense, offense,” Johnson said. “We are fully focused on it — every player, every play, every practice.
“A lot of unfortunate things happened last year. Our line fell apart, and while at NFL Honors, I expressed some dissatisfaction with the quarterback. The quarterback is only one player, Zach [Wilson] included, can’t play if he doesn’t have an O-Line, and it is hard to run the ball and it is hard to protect the quarterback.
“It is just not the quarterback.”
The Jets hope they’ve made enough moves this offseason to improve their offense. They’ve added three offensive line starters: left tackle Tyron Smith, left guard John Simpson, and right tackle Morgan Moses.
Gang Green also signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a one-year contract that could be worth up to $15 million. The Jets also found a veteran backup quarterback in Tyrod Taylor, who signed to a two-year, $18 million deal.
“I love him,” Johnson said about Taylor. “He’s great. He’s a proven veteran, he has played a lot of games and has been extremely successful and he’s great for the locker room.
“He’s the perfect guy for us.
In addition to all of those acquisitions, Rodgers is expected to be ready to participate in the team’s offseason program, which begins April 15. Rodgers has been rehabbing in California, where he lives, during the offseason.
It’s unclear how much work Rodgers will receive during the Jets’ offseason program. It is worth noting that Rodgers nearly participated in all the workouts after he was traded last year, hoping to build chemistry with his new teammates and help them learn Nathaniel Hackett’s offense.
“I’m pretty impressed,” Johnson said. “I think we got some great players and the team is definitely better, there’s no question.”
METLIFE STADIUM GRASS FIELD?
On Monday, Giants owner president and CEO John Mara said a grass field will be put in for the 2026 World Cup at MetLife Stadium. However, he said it would be a different type of grass used for Giants’ and Jets’ games, which both play at MetLife Stadium.
Last year, MetLife Stadium installed what is called FieldTurf Core, which is made of multilayer dual-polymer monofilament fiber. However, following a few injuries last season, many players and fans have continued to criticize the field.
In addition to Rodgers tearing his Achilles in Week 1, former Jets defensive tackle Al Woods tore his Achilles in a game against the Giants last October. Then, during the Black Friday Amazon game against the Jets in Week 12, Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips also suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Could the Giants and Jets both play on a grass field eventually?
“I think getting to the point where we have the best field for our players and our competition that we can possibly have,” Johnson said. “I know a lot of research is going into how to make that happen.
“Each field is different, and it is different from one end zone to the other. You would like to have a field that’s uniform and consistent around the league, whether it’s grass or another surface depending on where you are.”