Woody Johnson has finally spoken on the potential Aaron Rodgers/Jets marriage, telling the media at the NFL Owner’s Meetings that the Jets know where they stand right now, and are fairly confident with a little bit of nerves mixed in.
“We're anxious,” Johnson said. “I guess, as we look forward, we're optimistic, but we have a plan, so we're willing to stick with our plan. And I don't think anybody's hyperventilating at this point.”
It has been almost two weeks now since Rodgers announced his intention to play for the Jets and the beginning of the NFL’s 2023-24 league year, something the Jets fan base, at least, was waiting on, and an announcement that made the building shake, so to speak.
“I know that the reaction of the building was pretty high and everybody was pretty excited about having a player of that caliber,” Johnson said of Rodgers’ decision.
Still, we await the official word of a deal bringing the former NFL MVP to Gang Green, and the anxiety of that wait seems to fit in well with the owner’s own proclivities when it comes to fielding a winning team on the field.
"I’m not the patient sort really,” Johnson said. “We’ve got to win. We’re in the win business, so we have to win now. That the same thing I said 23 years ago."
Despite all the wait, though, and the calls from some WFAN hosts especially to maybe pivot to Lamar Jackson now that his trade demands are known, Johnson and the Jets are sticking to the plan.
“We're not gonna be distracted by a lot of other things that are happening that could be attractive in some people's minds,” he said. “Gonna just stick to our plan.”
Rodgers would help, as could another potential addition who was at the Owner’s Meetings: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was seen meeting with head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas at the event.
Saleh had made a blunt comment about the Jets’ potential interest in one free agent, Ezekiel Elliott, on Monday, but Johnson had a slightly different take on OBJ a day later.
"It’s exciting that a player and person of his caliber would even consider the Jets," Johnson said. "That's really cool."
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