The New York Jets organization has received countless criticism over the last year for the level of power it gave Aaron Rodgers, leaks coming from within the front office and other dysfunction inside the franchise. Now, new details are emerging about why so many around the NFL think the team is dysfunctional.
After missing the playoffs in 12 consecutive years, Jets’ owner Woody Johnson was determined to upgrade at quarterback in 2023. Despite the Green Bay Packers’ eagerness to move on from 39-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, New York jumped at the chance to land the future Hall of Famer.
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Ignoring the risks that come with starting an injury-prone quarterback behind a bad offensive line, New York never addressed its backup quarterback situation. Instead, the franchise hoped that Rodgers would stay healthy and Zach Wilson could spend the year learning behind him as a backup.
Just minutes into the Monday Night Football opener, Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. New York never seriously explored a viable alternative after the season-ending injury, instead relying on Wilson and Tim Boyle in a disastrous 2023 season.
Now, weeks after leaks from within the Jets’ front office that raised further doubts about the organization’s stability and the level of power Rodgers has over the franchise, more criticism from around the NFL is emerging with pointed criticisms of ownership.
Anonymous NFL sources told Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline that the Johnson family has made numerous blunders atop the franchise that have resulted in the team’s disarray. Of all the questionable moves made, one most often pointed to is the Jets promoting Hymie Elhai to team president.
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“The Johnson’s hired their coffee boy. Rather than bringing in a football person from the outside who would make the difficult decisions or say what needed to be said, no matter how uncomfortable it may sound, they hired someone who would tell them what they wanted to hear.
NFL source to Tony Pauline on the New York Jets making Hymie Elhai the team president
Elhai has been with the Jets’ franchise for more than two decades. He’s a close confidant of team chairman Woody Johnson and has also worked closely with Jets’ vice chairman Christopher W. Johnson in putting together the front office. Before his promotion, Elhai worked as the club’s senior VP of business affairs and general counsel.
While Jets general manager Joe Douglas is returning for the 2024 season, New York parted ways with assistant general manager Rex Hogan this winter. Hogan’s departure came amid speculation that he was a part of the leaks coming from the Jets’ front office.
