The New York Jets are bracing for another period of uncertainty, as owner Woody Johnson is expected to join Donald Trump’s administration for a second time. Johnson, the billionaire owner of the Jets, previously served as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom during Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021.
Now, with Donald Trump preparing for another stint in the White House, it is anticipated that Johnson will once again take on a significant role within the administration.
According to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, senior officials within the NFL and the Jets organization are making preparations for Johnson’s likely departure from his day-to-day duties with the franchise.
This would be the second time in recent years that Johnson has stepped away from his responsibilities as owner to serve in a government role. During Trump’s first term, Johnson handed over operational control of the team to his younger brother, Christopher Johnson, and it is expected that Christopher will once again step into the role of CEO and chairman in Woody’s absence.
The specific role Johnson might take on in the new administration has yet to be announced, but all indications suggest that the 77-year-old will be stepping away from the Jets for a substantial period.
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While it remains to be seen if he will reprise his role as ambassador or take on a different position, the Jets are already taking steps to manage the upcoming transition. CBS reported that plans are being put in place for Christopher Johnson to resume control of the team’s daily operations, much like he did during the previous administration.
Woody Johnson’s involvement in politics has added another layer of complexity to the Jets’ ongoing challenges. The franchise has struggled for consistency in recent seasons, and the current campaign has been no exception.
The Jets endured a rocky start to the season, going 2-3 in their first five games, including a disappointing loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. The setback led to increased speculation about the future of the team, including significant changes in leadership both on and off the field.
Adding to the drama, the firing of head coach Robert Saleh came just days after he made a public political statement on the sidelines by wearing a Lebanon flag patch on his sleeve. It remains unclear whether this act played a role in the decision to part ways with Saleh, but it certainly added fuel to the speculation surrounding the coaching staff and the organization’s direction.
With Woody Johnson likely stepping away once again, the Jets face important decisions about the future of the franchise.
The end of the current season will bring many challenges, including determining who will take on the permanent head coaching role and whether quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who joined the team in hopes of revitalizing their offense, will be offered a new contract.
The looming uncertainty over leadership is yet another hurdle for a team that has struggled to find stability and success in recent years.
Although Christopher Johnson now has several years of experience in the CEO and chairman roles, Woody’s departure would still leave the Jets in a challenging position.
After yet another season filled with inconsistency and struggle, the prospect of losing their owner’s presence for an extended period could complicate their efforts to build a competitive team.
Nevertheless, the organization remains hopeful that the preparations they are making will help them navigate this period of instability and position them for a brighter future on the field.
