Overview of the New York Jets’ Trade Decisions and Madden NFL Ratings
- The New York Jets declined a trade for Jerry Jeudy, influenced by his Madden NFL rating.
- Woody Johnson, the owner of the Jets, is said to have factored Madden ratings into team acquisition decisions.
- This reliance on video game ratings may lead to questionable trade choices, as they do not always reflect actual player performance.
Madden NFL, developed by EA Sports, has become a significant aspect of the football community since its inception in 1988. Despite being a beloved simulation game, it seems its player ratings are now affecting real-life NFL team strategies. Reports have emerged that the New York Jets opted not to pursue former Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy due to his subpar rating in the latest Madden installment.
The franchise’s latest edition, Madden NFL 25, was released in August 2024 and, although it experienced strong sales, received mixed reviews from critics. Each year, the game updates player ratings that reflect their performance metrics. Interestingly, these ratings have reportedly seeped into decision-making processes within professional football, prompting discussions about the validity of such practices.
Jets’ Trade Decisions Influenced by Madden NFL Ratings
The decision to forgo trading for Jerry Jeudy, who had an 84 rating in Madden NFL 25 at the time, stems from Jets owner Woody Johnson’s reported view that his rating was insufficient. According to sources, this decision directly led to the Jets’ General Manager, Joe Douglas, halting negotiations with the Denver Broncos, who were surprised by the reasoning behind the trade’s cancellation. Instead of landing Jeudy, who has been performing well on the field, the Jets ultimately saw him traded to the Cleveland Browns.
Moreover, this reliance on video game ratings is not a singular incident. There are claims that trade discussions surrounding free agent John Simpson were similarly influenced by his “awareness”rating in Madden NFL. In light of his failed acquisition by the Jets, Jeudy referred to the reports indicating Madden’s influence as potentially being “fake news”during a recent press conference.
While it’s acknowledged that EA Sports puts considerable effort into ensuring Madden NFL reflects real-life football as accurately as possible, there are certainly discrepancies between virtual ratings and actual player capabilities. As evidenced by Jeudy’s recent on-field performances, he may be deserving of a higher rating, raising questions about the wisdom of making real-world decisions based on a video game.
Leave a Reply