Christopher Johnson has complete control of Jets, including Todd Bowles, Mike Maccagnan

FLORHAM PARK -- The Jets, for the time being, are Christopher Johnson's team. Not Woody's. That became abundantly clear when he met the media for the first time Wednesday morning.

He'll call the shots without consulting his older brother. That goes for minor decisions, and the major ones -- including whether or not to bring back head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan in 2018.

"Woody is not involved in that at all," Christopher said.

This Jets season looks headed in an ugly direction. After an offseason roster purge claimed veterans like a plague, the Jets are left with a young, unproven group. They'll take -- and through two weeks they have -- their lumps. They'll compete, but it's hard to see them winning many games.

If the Jets finish this year with fewer than five wins, the Bowles-Maccagnan reign will have gotten worse each year since their hires in 2015. Most coaches and GMs don't survive that. But the Jets, Johnson says, aren't basing this year on wins and losses.

"My brother said, back during the spring, don't judge the team on wins and losses, but progression" Johnson said. "I agree with that. I think it's going to be obvious to all if we're progressing. There are so many young guys who, just because they aren't bold-faced names, doesn't mean they aren't really talented.

"This is a team on the rise. There are some growing pains right now, but we've got a plan. I'm going to do everything I can to support the people in this building ... I'm hoping the fans, who I care deeply about -- I've been a fan since I was a little kid and bleed green like they do -- appreciate what we're doing to get back to greatness."

Johnson said his brother consulted him before hiring Bowles and Maccagnan. He was on board with the decision then, and still believes the two are the right men for the job. He praised Maccagnan for his skill as a "talent evaluator," and said he has seen "nothing to dissuade him from that" thus far. As for Bowles, Johnson loves the way he interacts with the players. He said he has a "connection" with them that strikes all the right chords.

The mixture should help "this team be great again," Johnson said. As for when? He doesn't have any idea. There's no timetable for when the Jets can reach their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl, or even the playoffs. It's going to take time, and Johnson adjusting his own ways.

"I'm not a patient man," Johnson said. "I'm like any fan. I've been a fan of this team all my life. You can look long term, but I want to see this team progressing every game. I'm not happy with losses. I'm not happy with mistakes. But I'm excited about the progression."

Woody Johnson, through most of his 17-year run as owner, has been rather involved. Almost to a fault. He had a reputation as meddling, which led to poor decisions which hurt, not helped, the Jets.

It's surprising to hear he is stepping away completely, but Christopher says that's because he now has another full-time job which requires his complete attention. Until he returns, he won't have any say in the day-to-day control.

"He's out of it," Christopher said of his brother. "He said, 'I'm stepping away from football.'"

Johnson does an idea of how he can get him back, though. If he's able to lead the Jets to a Super Bowl, he'll leave Woody two tickets at will-call.

"Every little brother wants to show up his big brother," he joked.

Connor Hughes may be reached at chughes@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connor_J_Hughes. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook

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