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Jets CEO Chris Johnson had a brief session with the media on Sunday night. Here are some of the highlights.
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson: “I sure as hell hope we’re a playoff team.”
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 25, 2019
However, he reiterates that there is no playoff mandate.
Christopher Johnson says, while happy with offseason, the #Jets aren’t done yet. Won’t go into specifics, but said the holes on roster are pretty obvious. Also speaking very highly of Adam Gase. Said he’s a “grinder”
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson: “I think fans are going to love this... We’ve given Sam (Darnold) more targets... and better protection.”
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson says, while happy with offseason, the #Jets aren’t done yet. Won’t go into specifics, but said the holes on roster are pretty obvious. Also speaking very highly of Adam Gase. Said he’s a “grinder”
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Chris Johnson on Adam Gase-Gregg Williams dynamic being spirited: “I haven’t seen anything adversarial... We’ll see when we get to practice. It could be spicy.”
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson speaking on Anthony Barr, says he wants people who “want to be New York #Jets.” Was “disappointed” Barr backed out on deal
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson on Rob Gronkowski retiring: “It’s obviously good news for the #Jets,” says he’s going to miss him. He was always a player he wished was a Jet.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson says he was “overjoyed” when Gregg Williams signed on as the #Jets DC.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Christopher Johnson on #Jets new jerseys: “They’re pretty bad ass”
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) March 25, 2019
Jets CEO Christopher Johnson: “If we win the Lombardi Trophy, I’ll wear it around like a crown until people are sick of me.”
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) March 25, 2019
As expected, there isn’t much to take away from this.
There is one legitimate question that always seems to go unasked when Johnson speaks with the media. There is a fixation with whether the Jets have a mandate to make the Playoffs for certain people to keep their jobs. Johnson always answers that there is not. No NFL owner in his right mind would reveal such a mandate to the media, even he privately had one.
There is a relevant question on this topic that could be answered. What will it take for 2019 to be considered a success for the Jets?
Over the last two years, Johnson has suggested the team’s success can not only be judged by wins and losses. Many have rolled their eyes at this suggestion, but I don’t think it’s entirely unfair. Teams in rebuilding situations tend to be thinking long-term. For example, the Cleveland Browns had a losing record a year ago, but I think anybody being fair would call their 2018 campaign a success. That team took major strides forward.
So there are situations where the record is not the only measure of success. One could fairly argue the Jets have been in this category over the last few years.
But does the owner still view things that way for the 2019 season?
If he does, I would ask, “Why?” This latest chapter of the Jets’ attempts to rebuild is now in year three. The franchise quarterback is no longer a rookie. The team hired a new head coach the owner himself says will be great. The Jets just spent a record amount of money in free agency to upgrade the roster. The team still has a top three pick in the Draft to upgrade the roster even more.
It seems to me we are at a point where the Jets have to be judged by wins and losses. If not now, when and why not? I’d like to see Chris Johnson asked that question. That isn’t a question about a mandate. He could easily say, “This season is only a success if we have a winning record. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are firing people if we fail to meet that goal, but we will view this season as a disappointment if we fail to reach it.”
Given the circumstances, I think it would be very difficult to view a 6-10 or 7-9 type year as a success. It would be nice to hear from the CEO that the team is setting its sights higher after years of setting a low bar.