Jets owner Woody Johnson throws shade at Zach Wilson: 'Didn't have' backup QB last season

The New York Jets did not have the season they hoped for in 2023, and owner Woody Johnson is clearly expecting change while taking shots at the team.

Johnson was in attendance at the NFL Honors in Las Vegas on Thursday night, and spoke with reporters for the first time since the team ended its season 7-10 and missed the playoffs. Expectations were high with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, but they quickly faded when he tore his Achilles during the first series of the season, something Johnson compared to feeling like "having your arm chopped off." Johnson said it's evident he's mad with the team's season, especially on offense, and while he said he wouldn't demand a playoff appearance in 2024, he heavily indicated it needs to happen.

"We have all this talent and we have to deploy talent properly. So I think they all got the message. This is it. This is the time to go. We've got to produce this year," Johnson said per multiple reports. "We have to do a lot better than seven (wins), definitely."

Johnson also gave insight into what the team needs heading into the offseason, and took a shot at quarterback Zach Wilson.

"You need a backup quarterback," he said. "We didn't have one last year."

SUPER BOWL CENTRAL: Latest Super Bowl 58 news, stats, odds, matchups and more.

The No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Wilson was seen as the franchise quarterback when he was selected by New York, but inconsistent play led to the acquisition of Rodgers with Wilson being demoted to backup. After Rodgers got hurt, Wilson became the starter and started the next nine games, but was benched for Tim Boyle after the team fell to 4-6 while the signal caller continued to struggle. He eventually started two more game amid reports he was reluctant to return to the role, but after suffering a concussion in Week 15, he didn't play for the rest of the season, with Trevor Siemian taking over the starting duties.

The Jets have missed the playoffs in 13 straight season, the longest drought in the NFL.