Jerry Jeudy in DISBELIEF after learning about Jets owner using Madden ratings to judge him

Jerry Jeudy has had the best year of his career after New York Jets owner Woody Johnson vetoed a trade for him.

Jerry Jeudy in DISBELIEF after learning about Jets owner using Madden ratings to judge him

Jerry Jeudy could not believe New York Jets owner Woody Johnson used Madden ratings to decide on him (Image via X)

The New York Jets dysfunction is getting further proof after reports of owner Woody Johnson resorting to video games to decide on players came to light earlier. That particular incident involving then Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has brought up question marks about how the organization performs.

Woody Johnson allegedly checked Jeudy’s Madden ratings to veto a trade proposition by then GM Joe Douglas. The Broncos were shocked as the trade was nixed just as they were about to send him to the Jets.

YouTube video

Usually, such information will bring out reactions of shock, disbelief and/or numbness. Nobody in their right mind would expect Madden ratings to influence football decisions. When reporters asked Jerry Jeudy while at the Cleveland Browns facilities, he gave his take on these ‘rumors’.

To be honest, I don’t believe it. I think that’s fake news. Why would somebody look at Madden rating? Be real. I don’t think that real, but it’s funny.

Jerry Jeudy said to reporters

The 25-year-old wide receiver found it unbelievable at best as it would dumbfound anyone when anyone associated with actual football decisions to look at a player’s Madden rating. What makes it even more bizarre is how that trade worked out for both parties.

Once the Broncos understood the Jets weren’t interested, they wasted no time to trade Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns. The receiver then signed a three-year contract extension with his new team and received a lot of money in guarantees.

Jeudy repaid that faith by racking up more than 1000 yards so far. That too, playing with average quarterbacks with three games to go. On the other hand, Jets’ leading receiver Garrett Wilson is yet to break that barrier despite playing with a four-time league MVP at quarterback.

Jerry Jeudy was not the only Madden influence on Jets decisions

Jerry Jeudy’s nixed trade now looks like a horrendous mistake on the part of the New York Jets. But that was not the only Madden rating to influence Woody Johnson. After breaking the Jeudy story, The Athletic’s article had another revelation in its pages.

Jerry Jeudy racked up 1000+ yards in his best season with the Cleveland Browns
Jerry Jeudy racked up 1000+ yards in his best season with the Cleveland Browns (Image via Open Source/X)

Another example came when Johnson pushed back on signing free-agent guard John Simpson due to a lackluster “awareness” rating in Madden.

The Athletic on Woody Johnson

John Simpson eventually signed with the New York Jets and was a star on their offensive line this season. It could be that GM Joe Douglas and the coaching staff might have pushed Johnson enough for him to let go of his Madden premonitions.

Woody Johnson will not be heading to Europe any time soon after ally Donald Trump preferred someone else to take Johnson’s position as ambassador to the UK. That could mean he could be resorting to such Madden influenced decisions in the near future.

Related: Rob Gronkowski has high expectations from Bill Belichick for his UNC stint