An enlightening report in The Athletic laid the New York Jets’ flaws bare for the world to see. The breakdown, authored by Zack Rosenblatt, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver, shined a spotlight on team owner Woody Johnson’s interference and bumbling — factors that have helped generate the longest postseason drought across America’s four largest professional men’s sports.
One of the most surprising (and silliest revelations) was that Johnson’s football knowledge wasn’t solely based in watching games. Instead, he reportedly defaulted to EA Sports and its player ratings for the Madden series of video games.
This boiled to a head when his Jets entered into trade talks with the Denver Broncos regarding former first round pick Jerry Jeudy. The Jets were working on a deal to supplement Aaron Rodgers’s receiving corps with another dynamic young wideout to pair with Garrett Wilson. Instead, Johnson vetoed the deal based on Jeudy’s relatively low Madden grade.
Jeudy went to the Cleveland Browns instead. 2024 marked his first 1,000-yard season despite playing with some of the worst quarterbacks in the league. He also saw the report. On Thursday, he tweeted at one man who, somehow, could actually do something about his Madden status. Chad Ochocinco.
I blame @ochocinco
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) December 19, 2024
Ochocinco is an honest to goodness Madden ratings adjuster who saw Jeudy’s complaint because he’s also perpetually online.
It’s a good thing, look how you shining now. https://t.co/OqcdkHrWYj
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) December 19, 2024
Fortunately, the two NFL wideouts were able to strike an agreement. If Jeudy finishes 2024 strong — a big ask, considering Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be his quarterback — Ochocinco’s ready to bump him up into the 90s.
Say less lol
— Jerry Jeudy⁴ (@jerryjeudy) December 19, 2024
That’s a fair deal. Jeudy has 44 catches and 707 yards his last six games, putting up a 2,000-yard pace in the process (and saving a few fantasy squads in the process). If he can keep that up, he’ll be well deserving of a top Madden rating — and might even be good enough for Johnson to trade for.
