Woody Johnson splurged on expensive new pieces to turn the Jets into Super Bowl contenders, so it only makes sense he splurged on an expensive new piece for himself.
While his new expenditure won’t suit up on game days for the Jets, but instead will sparkle and dangle from his neck, it symbolizes what the team’s owner expects of the 2023 roster.
In a team meeting before the Jets’ joint practice against the Buccaneers on Aug. 16, which was captured on the third episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” Johnson revealed an ostentatious new chain he bought for himself with his name, “Woody,” hanging from it. Under his name on the silver-colored piece, per online reports, are the words “and the Jets.”
The entire room shouted in admiration as Johnson took off his jacket and revealed his new jewelry.
“I got the inspiration from you,” Johnson told the team. “I’m inspired by you, of course. I’ve been doing this for a number of years, and when I see this, this August, and I see this team coming together, and the pieces we’ve added, and the development that I’ve seen so far, it’s absolutely incredible.”
Before the offseason, Johnson publicly declared his willingness to spend whatever it took in order for the Jets to acquire a veteran, star quarterback.
Though Aaron Rodgers later took a pay cut of roughly $35 million, Johnson signed off on the Jets absorbing nearly $110 million on Rodgers’ original contract.
Later in the offseason, Johnson gave the green light on a massive contract extension to secure Quinnen Willaims long-term, giving the star defensive lineman a four-year deal worth $96 million.
Before that, Johnson allowed the Jets to make Allen Lazard — Rodgers’ longtime partner with the Packers — the most expensive receiver signing this offseason on a four-year, $44 million contract.
Though the team is already deep at running back, Johnson OK’d signing former Viking Dalvin Cook to a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million.
Those flashy new expenditures have put a microscope on the Jets and ushered in newfound championship-or-bust expectations.
If it wasn’t clear already, Johnson certainly left no room for interpretation: It’s time for his investments to pay off.
“We’ve got to take advantage,” Johnson said. “This doesn’t happen every day. And it’s all up to you guys and it’s all up to everybody in this room.
“And you’ve got 15 million fans out there that are so excited that they can barely contain themselves.”
An heir to the Johnson & Johnson dynasty and fortune, Johnson bought the Jets in 2000 and currently serves as co-owner with his brother, Christopher.
The Jets have largely been marred by dysfunction and failure during Johnson’s tenure, making the playoffs just six times.
Their current 12-year playoff drought is the longest in the four major North American pro leagues.
Beyond the team’s underachievement on the field, fans have long chided Johnson for not caring enough about the Jets or doing enough to create sustainable success.
He notably was appointed in 2017 by then-President Trump as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, forcing him to spend ample time out of the country.
But Johnson was closely involved in the team’s most important decisions this offseason, flying out with team brass to California during their recruitment of Rodgers.
In addition to symbolizing the Jets’ new reality, perhaps Johnson’s new chain symbolizes his own evolution as well.
“Not to put any pressure on you, but every moment, every day, every ounce of energy is important to you, to everybody that works in this building, and particularly the guys outside,” Johnson said.
