Jets owner: Judge us on progress, not wins and losses

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has a special request for fans next season: Just ignore our record, please.

After finishing with a 5-11 record last year and making few improvements to their roster, it doesn't appear the Jets will be winning many games in 2017, and Johnson is advising supporters to pay attention to the individual bright spots.

"Really, the way I want to be judged, hopefully from the fans' standpoint, is just watch how we improve during the year," he said Tuesday on ESPN New York 98.7, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "Look at each individual on the team, and if they're getting better, that's a mark of progress. That's what we're looking for."

The Jets are looking to get much younger after having one of the oldest leadership groups in the league last year. The team cut three of its top veterans in Brandon Marshall, Nick Mangold, and Darrelle Revis this offseason, and opted not to re-sign quarterbacks Ryan Fitzpatrick and Geno Smith.

Johnson hopes the youth movement will get the Jets out of the league's basement.

"If you want to go to the promised land, you have to go in a certain direction," said Johnson. "I think this is a direction we've never tried in the 17 years I've been associated with the Jets. We've never gone this way."