NFL Owner Used Madden Ratings To Make Player Decisions

As a longtime football enthusiast with decades of following the sport and its intricacies, I find the story about Woody Johnson and his reliance on Madden NFL ratings to be nothing short of mind-boggling. Having spent countless hours poring over statistics, game tape, and expert analyses, I can confidently say that the Madden rating system is a far cry from being an accurate predictor of a player’s true talent or potential.

As a gamer myself, let me share an unbelievable tale: Once upon a time, I found myself in the shoes of an NFL team owner, making crucial decisions based on player stats from none other than EA Sports’ Madden NFL! The Athletic recently dropped a bombshell report suggesting that New York Jets owner Woody Johnson was doing just that. Allegedly, he nixed trades and hesitated over potential free agent signings, all because of the numbers displayed in this beloved video game.

In a specific scenario, I, as a football enthusiast, opted against pursuing an off-season swap for Jerry Jeudy, previously with the Denver Broncos, due to his Madden rating not meeting my standards. To my surprise, he was eventually traded to the Cleveland Browns. In his inaugural season with them, he has amassed 1,052 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns.

A different scenario involved Johnson expressing doubts about the acquisition of guard John Simpson. The article suggests that Johnson was not satisfied with Simpson’s alertness level during gameplay, causing some resistance. Fortunately for the Jets, General Manager Joe Douglas secured Simpson, who has been impressive at his position this season.

The reason behind Johnson’s reliance on Madden ratings for real-life decisions can be traced back to the involvement of his sons, Jack and Brick, who have been part of those discussions.

In our discussions, it’s common to find Woody referencing articles from either Brick or Jack, which they found online. These references are given equal consideration as any other opinion within the department. (This quote is from an unnamed Jets executive, as reported by The Athletic.)

For what it’s worth, a spokesperson for the Jets declined the claims.

Read More

2024-12-19 17:47