Jets' Woody Johnson: 'I have to look in the mirror and I have to be a better owner'

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson greets general manager Darren Mougey at an introductory press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center , Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Florham Park. Credit: Corey Sipkin
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Woody Johnson acknowledged he needs to be a better owner, and he said he’s working on it. He promised “patience” with his new football leaders.
The Jets’ chairman was a little reflective on Monday after a news conference to introduce new coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey.
“I have to look in the mirror and I have to be a better owner,” Johnson said, “and I’m trying to be better.”
The Jets have missed the playoffs for 14 consecutive years under his ownership. This season was especially tumultuous. Johnson fired coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season.
There have been stories and reports about Johnson being too hands-on and meddlesome. He called that “a lot of exaggeration, hyperbole” and plans to let Glenn and Mougey do what he hired them to do.
“I want Aaron Glenn to coach the team,” Johnson said. “I want the general manager to manage the assets and the players, and I’ll take the owner’s position. That’s what I’d like to do.”
Johnson believes he became a better owner by putting these two men in charge of his football team. Glenn is a first-time coach and Mougey a first-time general manager, but Johnson is confident the transition will be smooth.
“That’s part of it,” he said. “The second is I’ve got to have patience or whatever. I’ve got to let them evolve in these positions, which I think they will. I think it will be quick, but I think they’ll evolve.”
Glenn said he’s had nothing but positive conversations with Johnson and that all the owner wants to do is win.
“Listen, there’s no better person to work for when they sit there and you talk about, you strategize about having a winning commitment, and he has that,” Glenn said. “And that’s all I need to know . . .
“I trust him with everything I have, and I look forward to working with him.”
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