Facebook
Reddit
Email
Discover how Madden NFL 25 player stats influenced the New York Jets’ surprising recruitment decisions. Dive into the details!
In the high-stakes world of NFL recruitment, the New York Jets are playing a different game. Imagine basing multimillion-dollar decisions on a video game. Sounds quirky, right? Yet, Jets owner Woody Johnson is taking this exact route.
Reports suggest Johnson has been eyeing Madden NFL 25 ratings to shape his team’s roster. From nixing a trade for Jerry Jeudy due to an underwhelming 84 rating to passing on John Simpson because of a low ‘awareness’ stat, these aren’t your usual executive decisions.
Did New York Jets Really Refer to NFL 25?
The New York Jets have reportedly turned to Madden NFL 25 ratings to shape their recruitment strategy. According to The Athletic, owner Woody Johnson has made key decisions about player acquisitions based on the video game’s evaluations. This unconventional approach recently impacted two high-profile moves, sparking debates about mixing gaming with professional sports.
The most notable case involves wide receiver Jerry Jeudy. Reports suggest the Jets were deep in negotiations with the Denver Broncos to bring Jeudy to New York. However, Johnson reportedly vetoed the trade, claiming Jeudy’s Madden NFL 25 rating of 84 wasn’t high enough. As a result, the deal fell apart, and Jeudy joined the Cleveland Browns instead. Ironically, Jeudy has since excelled in Cleveland, crossing the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career.
But Jeudy’s case wasn’t an isolated incident. The same report reveals that Johnson hesitated to sign free agent guard John Simpson, citing his low Awareness stat in Madden NFL 25 as a key factor. These decisions, based on a video game’s metrics, left many fans and analysts stunned. Even Jeudy commented on the reports, calling them “fake news” during a press conference.
Jerry Jeudy speaks on the report that Jets owner Woody Johnson vetoed a trade for him because of his Madden rating:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 19, 2024
“To be honest, I don’t believe it. I think that’s fake news… Why would somebody look at Madden rating. Be real. I don’t think that real, but it’s funny.” https://t.co/pItluvQyNU pic.twitter.com/KpG8ZewGfy
Madden NFL ratings, a hallmark of the franchise, are designed to assess player effectiveness within the game. However, while EA Sports strives for realism, these ratings don’t always align with real-world performance. Jeudy’s stellar season with the Browns highlights this gap, showing how subjective these evaluations can be.
The Jets’ approach to recruitment blends traditional sports management with gaming culture in an unprecedented way. While Johnson’s strategy has drawn criticism, it also reflects the growing cultural influence of Madden NFL. However, relying on such subjective metrics could risk missing out on top talent—just like Jerry Jeudy.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!
