Jets trade Jermaine Johnson to Titans, source says
Jermaine Johnson of the New York Jets celebrates his sack against the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter on Nov. 9, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
The Jets have traded another defensive starter and member of their vaunted 2022 draft class.
Edge rusher Jermaine Johnson has been dealt to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle and run stuffer T’Vondre Sweat, according to a league source. The trade can’t be processed or made official until the new league year begins on March 11.
Johnson was one of three players the Jets drafted in the first round in 2022, along with Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. Only Wilson remains. Gardner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for two first-round picks in November.
The Jets considered dealing Johnson at the trade deadline when Gardner was moved and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams was sent to Dallas. Now he is on his way out. He will be reunited with former Jets coach Robert Saleh, who is entering his first season as the Titans’ head coach.
“New York, thank you for everything truly,” Johnson posted on social media on Thursday. “Wish all of my former coaches and former teammates the best!! Thank all of y’all for sharing a battlefield with me.”
The trade clears about $11.7 million in cap space for the Jets. Johnson was in the final year of his contract and due $13.4 million guaranteed. Sweat, a second-round pick in 2024 out of Texas, is signed through 2027 and guaranteed $1.66 million this season.
The Jets now are thin at edge rusher. It almost ensures that they will draft one with the No. 2 pick to line up opposite Will McDonald. Ohio State outside linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese and Texas Tech’s David Bailey are strong options, along with Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr.
The trade also indicates that the Jets will utilize a 3-4 scheme more. They were expected to use multiple fronts defensively now that head coach Aaron Glenn is calling the defense.
The addition of the massive Sweat, a 6-4, 366-pound space eater, will provide much-needed help to the Jets’ rush defense. They finished 29th last season, allowing 139.5 rushing yards per game.
Sweat, 24, has totaled 85 tackles and three sacks in 29 games. Although he missed five games with an ankle injury last season, he still was graded the fifth-best interior defender and fourth-best run stopper by Pro Football Focus.
He joins a solid defensive tackle group that includes Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs. Jets general manager Darren Mougey acquired both last August and they were bright spots in a dark season.
More trades could be coming for the Jets, who will be active this offseason in addressing needs at quarterback, linebacker, receiver and the secondary.
Johnson, 27, was the No. 26 pick in 2022. He played in 47 games and finished his Jets career with 131 tackles and 13 sacks. He made the Pro Bowl as an alternate in 2023 after recording 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and seven passes defended.
A torn Achilles limited Johnson to two games in 2024. He returned last year and didn’t have the same explosiveness, finishing with 43 tackles and three sacks in 14 games.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
