Woody

Johnson

Rosenblatt and Russini report now-fired general manager Joe Douglas “had already lost some power midway through last season when Johnson took a more active role”. After a Week 4 loss to the Broncos, Johnson “suggested to coaches that they bench Aaron Rodgers”. A week later, he made the decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh “without consulting his general manager”. Johnson also made decisions on player signings and front office firings over the offseason, decreasing Douglas’ power as general manager and pressuring certain decisions, like nixing a trade for Jerry Jeudy and a contract extension for Bryce Huff. Douglas has now been fired as the Jets will hit reset in the offseason. Johnson returned to run the Jets in 2021, after serving as the United States’ Ambassador to the United Kingdom - his brother ran the team when the Jets hired Douglas in 2019.

With the change in administrations, Johnson is back to his old job. In the Trump Administration for nearly four years, the only time we really heard of Johnson was when he was investigated for alleged racist and sexist remarks by the State Department. He was found to have “sometimes made inappropriate or insensitive comments on topics ... such as religion, sex, or color” that could “create an offensive working environment,” though he predictably denied the findings. Johnson also got caught up in a controversy with one of President Trump’s U.K. golf courses. Unsurprisingly, his team went further down the drain during his absence, though Johnson’s brother and GM Joe Douglas have just made a home run head-coaching hire in Robert Saleh. 73 years old, Johnson has owned the Jets since 2000.

Johnson currently serves as the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom for President Donald Trump, a role he has held since August 2017. Christopher Johnson, his brother, has served as the Jets’ CEO and Chairman during that time. The allegations include Johnson asking if the audience for a Black History Month event would be comprised of “a whole bunch of black people” and questioned why the black community celebrates Black History Month. Johnson also allegedly made “cringeworthy” remarks about women’s appearances and called an event for International Women’s Day “a feminist event.” Johnson did not deny the accusations when questioned, including more politically-loaded charges involving one of President Trump’s U.K.-based businesses.

Johnson, who struggles to run a football team, is undoubtedly extremely qualified to be an ambassador to one of America’s most important allies. The move could be a boon for Jets fans, as Johnson will have less time to meddle with his team. Johnson will presumably have to take off his ever-present Jets ball cap for his ambassador business.

The move had been rumored since January. It had been delayed for reasons unknown by president Donald Trump. It isn’t uncharted territory for a 21st century NFL owner, as Johnson will join the late, great Dan Rooney as a United States ambassador. Rooney was Barack Obama’s ambassador to Ireland from 2009-12. It’s unclear how the appointment will affect Johnson’s football duties. Rooney remained involved with the Steelers during his time in Ireland. Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St James’s is an important position. It’s unclear what makes Johnson qualified.

In the words of the team, Christopher will “directly oversee all day-to-day team operations.” Things are a little acrimonious in the United States Senate right now — in case you hadn’t heard — but Johnson will almost certainly be confirmed as ambassador. In theory, he should have the job until at least 2021, but ambassadors don’t always remain the entire term. Former Steelers owner Dan Rooney spent only three years as Barack Obama’s ambassador to Ireland. Johnson’s absence should have little-to-zero effect on the team.

We already knew coach Rex Ryan was as good as gone, but Casserly’s addition would suggest GM John Idzik is on the way out, as well. Per Schefter, both Ryan and Idzik’s jobs are “very much in jeopardy.” We should know their fate by this time next week.