New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson won’t be receiving a contract extension this offseason.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini bluntly said, “If Johnson was hoping to secure a contract extension this offseason, the chances of that happening are slim.”
Johnson, 26, has one more year left on his contract through the 2026 season. This past offseason, the Jets exercised the fifth-year $13.4 million option on his rookie contract.
Johnson Hasn’t Delivered This Season, According to the Numbers
It has been a complicated picture for Johnson at the NFL level.
He has shown flashes of being a dominant piece, but there have been large stretches of inactivity.
“One of the biggest mysteries is the disappearance of edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, who has no sacks and only one quarterback hit in his past five games,” Cimini revealed in a column on Sunday, December 28.
This season, he has appeared in 12 games and has made 11 starts. With those opportunities, the former Florida State product has collected three sacks, six quarterback hits, and four tackles for loss.
Head coach Aaron Glenn shared this week that Johnson’s recovery from a torn Achilles has been a contributor to a down season.
“And yet it’s interesting to note that he hasn’t lost any explosiveness, based on his get-off times. Per Next Gen Stats, this year’s average (0.88 seconds) is virtually the same as 2023 (0.87), his best year,” Cimini revealed.
Jets Can Pick One of Two Paths Ahead of 2026
Sometimes in those Goosebumps books we used to read as kids, there were versions where you could pick your own adventure.
The Jets will have that opportunity this offseason. With an extension unlikely for Johnson, the Jets must decide their next maneuver.
They could let Johnson just play things out. Johnson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. In theory, he should be as motivated as he has ever been to have a great year in 2026. Perhaps that leads to a career year, and then the Jets can extend him after that.
Or the Jets can pull the plug this offseason. ESPN’s Rich Cimini and NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY have revealed that there were plenty of Johnson trade conversations ahead of the deadline.
Maybe there are still teams interested this offseason? If so, the Jets could flip him to one of those teams for assets and move on.
The Jets Better Make Sure They Get This One Right
Did Johnson have an off year because of the Achilles? Was it because former defensive coordinator Steve Wilks’ system sucked? Was it some combination of both?
Whatever the reason, the Jets better be sure of it.
Johnson is a talented player. In his career, he has appeared in 45 games and has made 30 starts. With those opportunities, Johnson has racked up 13 sacks, a forced fumble, 27 quarterback hits, eight pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six.
That is a lot of production. The Jets need more of it. Johnson is not only a talented football player, but he is also one of the team’s leaders, despite not wearing a captain patch on his jersey.
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