Jets Owner Woody Johnson Is Done With Zach Wilson, Willing To Spend Big To Land Veteran Quarterback
Owner of the New York Jets Woody Johnson said on Thursday that a quarterback is the team’s “missing piece” and that he is prepared to pay heavily to address the issue.
The Jets lost their sixth game in a row to finish the season 7-10, extending their 12-year playoff absence. The Jets’ quarterback situation has been one of the team’s most visible problems.
Jets Owner Woody Johnson Is Done With Zach Wilson, Willing To Spend Big To Land Veteran Quarterback
Woody Johnson is prepared to sign a quarterback and has his chequebook at the ready.
#Jets owner Woody Johnson says there is no playoff mandate for Robert Saleh & Joe Douglas next year. Doesn’t believe mandates work. But Johnson said he believes the team is “loaded” and ready to make a run. “I want to win.”
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 12, 2023
The 2022 season and the state of the franchise were topics of the Jets owner’s Thursday press conference. What the Jets would do at quarterback was one of the most hotly debated subjects.
The franchise quarterback for the following ten years was supposed to be Zach Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in 2021. However, he had a terrible second season and was benched twice. Wilson is no longer the undisputed starter, despite the Jets’ insistence that they want to keep him on the roster.
Woody Johnson on if he’s willing to spend what it takes to upgrade at QB: “Absolutely.”
“That’s the missing piece.” #Jets
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) January 12, 2023
This has given rise to rumours that the Jets will look to trade for or sign an experienced quarterback this offseason. Johnson was questioned about whether he would be ready to spend the money on a veteran if coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas approached him about it.
“Absolutely,” Johnson said.
He was asked the follow-up, “No matter the cost?”
“We’ve got a cap so there’s an amount you can spend,” Johnson said. “But yeah, yeah. That’s kind of the missing piece.”
From NFL Now: #Jets owner Woody Johnson is willing to spend for a veteran QB. Story from his meeting with local reporters https://t.co/lOdWEnOqvQ and video 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/e8PMzfd7XM
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2023
According to Spotrac, the Jets only have $8 million in salary-cap space, but they can easily manipulate the roster to free up money to sign a star quarterback like Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers or Derek Carr of the Raiders, who is certain to become a free agent after posting a farewell message to Las Vegas fans on Twitter on Thursday.
"When you can run the ball, you've got good special teams, & you have a top 5 defense, you're supposed to be in the playoffs."- Robert Saleh
Woody Johnson said the #Jets will absolutely be willing to spend to upgrade at QB: "That's the missing piece"
Get Ready 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lSvYtVVHt3
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) January 12, 2023
Johnson appeared to be displeased with the offence’s issues and how they were holding the club back in 2022. He mentioned the defence is among the best in the league but the offence’s difficulty scoring on multiple occasions.
From the #Jets with @JeaneCoakley: While Woody Johnson isn’t saying it, there is absolutely a playoff requirement for Robert Saleh & Joe Douglas in 2023.
… and it sounds like Johnson is going to give the two a new QB to help them get there. pic.twitter.com/oFTHjfm5tn
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 12, 2023
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