Woody Johnson finally admitted what Jets fans have been saying for years

New York Jets fans have been saying it for years. Decades, even. Woody Johnson isn’t a good owner. It’s practically the first line of the franchise’s modern history book, a belief passed down from generation to generation of exhausted Jets fans like folklore.

And now, finally, Woody himself admitted he agrees.

Johnson spoke with The Athletic's Dianna Russini at the NFL fall meetings last week and said the quiet part out loud: “Well, I’m obviously not a good owner in terms of winning." This was in response to a question about what makes him a good owner.

In Johnson's defense, he went on to state that he believes he's "an understanding person" who can relate to his players despite a difference in background, but most Jets fans probably stopped reading after the first 11 words.

One might argue it's the most honest assessment Johnson has made in years. Finally, Jets fans can agree with their owner on one thing.

Woody Johnson admits he's 'obviously not a good owner'

Johnson purchased the Jets from the Leon Hess estate in January 2000 for $635 million, which was at the time the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports franchise. He took over an organization that was still riding the highs of the Bill Parcells era, with a roster built to contend and a fan base full of optimism.

But over the next 25 years, the franchise would fall well short of those early expectations. Under Johnson’s ownership, the Jets have recorded a dismal 173-238 record, making him one of the least successful owners in the league today.

The Jets have failed to make the playoffs since 2010, currently possessing the longest active postseason drought among all four major American sports. Johnson has overseen it all, cementing his reputation as one of the least successful owners in the NFL in terms of on-field results.

Much of Johnson’s reputation as a poor owner stems from his tendency to overstep and meddle in football decisions. He's often inserted himself into major organizational calls, sometimes overriding the judgment of his football staff.

Most recently, Johnson vowed to take a backseat role and allow the new regime of head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to run the show. But in typical Woody fashion, he couldn't help himself.

Johnson's public burial of starting quarterback Justin Fields last week handcuffed the very head coach he was trying to defend, while once again placing his name in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. But that's just what Woody does — he can't get out of his own way, even when his intentions are good.

So for once, Jets fans and Woody Johnson are on the same page. They’ve been calling him a bad owner for years. Now, he’s finally admitted they were right. It’s not exactly the kind of unity this fan base was hoping for, but at least everyone can agree on something, I guess?