Joe Simpson Smothering Jessica Simpson’s New Beau, Eric Johnson

The only thing clingier than Jessica Simpson’s “Mom Jeans” is her father.

Jess’ ever-meddling pops — whose demands and catty commentary on his daughter’s fledging career reportedly cost the singer a gig on American Idol — is trying to make her new boyfriend his own BFF.

Tre’ Awkward!

Informants-in-the-know tell Aussie tabloid New Day Magazine that notorious stage dad Joe Simpson is getting a little too close for comfort to former NFL star Eric Johnson, who has been dating Jessica since May. In fact, Eric’s reportedly so turned off by the Simpson patriarch’s attempts at male bonding that Joe’s behavior is beginning to adversely affect Johnson’s romance with Jessica.

“Joe’s being way too pushy with Eric,” says the source, “trying to meet up with him and have what he calls ‘Guy Time.’ It’s actually driving Eric crazy – he doesn’t want to be rude but he doesn’t want to be best friends with his girlfriend’s dad, either! It’s actually starting to drive a wedge between Jess and Eric.”

Meanwhile, Jessica is professing her love for Eric to just about anyone who’ll listen.

“As far as Eric and I go, we’re just best friends. He’s my dude! I love him,” the oft unlucky-in-love blonde told PEOPLE just Friday. “This [relationship] is just normal, thank God. He’s very, very supportive. [I] couldn’t ask for a better man in my life right now.”

As for him being “The One,” Simpson admits she’s not sure: “I never go to that because I already went there, so, I’m not gonna jinx my own self. He’s the one for me right now! I’m very happy, I’m in a great place and if right now could last forever, I’d take it.”