The New York Jets have some big contract decisions to make this offseason.
Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac singled out pass rusher Jermaine Johnson as an “extension candidate” for the Jets. Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
“A 2022 1st-round pick, Johnson is still in the final stages of fully recovering from a 2024 Week 2 Achilles injury. When right, he’s got above average starter potential on the edge, and should be strongly considered as a core player going forward. The 26-year-old holds a fully guaranteed $13.4M option salary in 2026, and currently projects toward a 4-year, $76M extension in our system,” Ginnitti said.
That $19 million annual salary would rank 18th among the highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
Contract Extension Discussions Are Confusing
Johnson, 27, entered the league as the No. 26 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. The Jets brass at the time wanted him so badly that they traded back into the first round to acquire him.
The regime that drafted Johnson isn’t with the Jets anymore. In three of his four seasons, he has registered fewer than 3.5 sacks.
That projected price tag feels far too pricey. Johnson has had one really good season and then a lot of mid in his four-year career to date.
If the Jets were going to extend Johnson this offseason, it would really only make sense if Johnson was giving the team a sweetheart deal.
From Johnson’s perspective, it doesn’t make sense to approach the Jets about an extension. He is coming off his first season post-Achilles, and the numbers weren’t impressive.
It behooves both parties to play this out in 2026 and address this situation next offseason. Johnson is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
Jets Made a Decision at the Deadline
The green and white could have flipped Johnson at the trade deadline. NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY said they had third-round offers on the table, but the team was seeking a second-rounder.
Does the Jets’ decision to decline offers mean they view Johnson as a key part of their future? Or did the team make a mistake not pulling the trigger on a deal?
Several team insiders believe the Jets made a mistake and will regret not getting a trade done.
The green and white’s defense was awful in 2025. They finished bottom five in nearly every major metric. That group is going to require a total overhaul this offseason.
An important step for the coaching staff is determining whether anyone from the 2025 roster is worth salvaging on defense. Johnson, candidly, didn’t have a great season, but in fairness, this was his first season off his Achilles injury.
He deserves some grace and understanding. Players typically require a full year before they return to their former selves, if ever.
Next year should be the year of Johnson. He should be intrinsically motivated, being in a contract year. Johnson should be a lot healthier, being another year removed from his devastating injury.
The Jets will also be welcoming in a brand new scheme on defense when they hire a defensive coordinator for 2026. Perhaps that can take Johnson’s game to another level.
Jets Defender Eligible for $76 Million Contract Extension