New York Jets owner Woody Johnson firmly behind Todd Bowles

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson said Thursday he isn't interested in declaring a playoffs-or-bust mandate for coach Todd Bowles in 2017.

"No, I really don't like mandates, because they normally don't work -- lines in the sand, whatever," Johnson said. "You don't want to judge it that way. The way we'll judge it is getting better each and every year and seeing it in our players -- our young players. Are they getting better or are they going the other way?"

The Jets' fortunes have gone the other way in Bowles' second season at the helm. After leading New York to a 10-6 mark in 2015, the Jets plummeted to a 5-11 record the following season to extend their playoff drought to six straight years.

Johnson admitted disappointment on the team's season, but believes Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan can improve the club "primarily" through the draft.

New York will be picking sixth for the second time in three years and the sixth time in franchise history. The Jets struck gold in 2015, when Maccagnan selected defensive tackle Leonard Williams out of Southern California. Williams was named the team's MVP this season after collecting 68 tackles and seven sacks.

Bowles' on-field and off-field coaching style came under fire due to a litany of lopsided losses -- five of the Jets' defeats have been by more than 20 points -- and locker room issues.

Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson, who were expected to anchor the defensive line, were suspended for the first quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 6 due to chronic tardiness. Richardson and wide receiver Brandon Marshall had to be separated following a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 25.

Richardson also sniped at Marshall following a lopsided 41-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 16.

The Jets' coaching staff saw sweeping changings this week with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey electing to retire while quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo, running backs coach Marcel Shipp, defensive line coach Pepper Johnson, outside linebackers coach Mark Collins and defensive backs coach Joe Danna were dismissed on Tuesday.