While Namath had led the Jets to a victory in Super Bowl III the season prior, there was concern over his chronic knee issues.
He performed mop up duty in the Jets 34–16 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and in their 40–7 blowout of the Cincinnati Bengals the following week.
Due to injury, Woodall drew the first start of his pro career, a 10–6 loss to the hapless Buffalo Bills.
The Woodall-led Jets failed to reach the end zone, and instead, had to settle for two Jim Turner field goals.
[6] The following week the 4-7 Jets beat the 9-2 Vikings 20–10, but then lost to the Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts to finish the season 4–10.
He had been called in to relieve an ineffective Namath in the season opener against the Green Bay Packers, led by quarterback Scott Hunter.
The Packers had been shutting out the Jets until Woodall came off the bench to lead a scoring drive the ended with a touchdown strike to David Knight.
[citation needed] Woodall is an advocate for the NFLPA, teaching younger players to spend their money wisely and have a nest egg for once their careers are over.
Tired of facing questions about which one of his struggling quarterbacks, Mark Sanchez or Tim Tebow, were going to start, Ryan remarked that it was Al Woodall's week.