The New York Jets’ defense was supposed to carry them in 2025.

They had a mix of three former All-Pros, several young talents, and some intriguing veterans. Under the proper coaching, the hope from fans and analysts was such that the group would get back to its previous elite level of play.

That didn’t happen.

Inconsistent coaching and declined production from core players prompted New York to accept enticing offers for Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams. The remaining players on the roster have been tasked with showing they belong with the organization moving forward.

Two players in particular, captain Jamien Sherwood and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, are youngsters that the team needs more from as they prepare for the final four games of the regular season.

Jets’ defensive stars stumble in 2025

If there has been a player who has disappointed the most for New York this season, Sherwood is at the top of the list. The former Auburn product signed a three-year extension that made him one of the highest-paid linebackers in the game.

During the year, he has struggled mightily against the pass, even getting benched at one point despite his team captain status.

For the money he is making ($45 million over three years), the Jets need far more from Sherwood, even if head coach Aaron Glenn focused Wednesday afternoon on what the linebacker has done well.

“I think every player on the defense will feel that they can do better,” Glenn said. “I think he’s done a lot of good things for us and I’m expecting him to continue to growing in the job as being the MIKE linebacker,” he said.

In 13 games this season, Sherwood has recorded 121 tackles, eight passes defended, and a sack. Despite continuing to rack up plenty of tackles, the Jets’ captain has struggled to get his fellow defensive players in the right spot.

Issues with gap integrity, which Glenn discussed on Wednesday, have plagued New York’s run defense all season. As a captain and the MIKE linebacker, Sherwood needs to do a better job of getting people in the right spot to make plays.

Sherwood is not the only young Jet who Glenn remains high on.

AG remains hopeful about Jermaine Johnson

It’s essential for fans to have realistic expectations for players. In the case of Jermaine Johnson, a strong training camp raised fans’ hopes a little too high.

The former first-round pick out of Florida State suffered a torn Achilles two weeks into the 2024 season. A year removed from the injury, Johnson has recorded only three sacks in 10 games and is ranked as the 50th-best edge rusher out of 89 qualifiers at Pro Football Focus.

For fans, Johnson’s season hasn’t been what many had hoped to see. The 26-year-old was expected to be an every-down edge defender who could grow into one of the best players at his position.

Glenn, however, believes that Johnson’s recovery from his Achilles injury is to blame for the low sack production.

“I think him coming off that Achillies of just getting back going, getting the ankle
flection going, being able to bend the corner, all those things, it takes a while to get back from that,” Glenn said. “I saw him improve week after week and then I think he had another smaller injury. It’s more of him getting back acclimated to who he used to be when he had those 12 or 13 sacks* that one year.”

*- Johnson’s career-high for sacks is 7.5, set in 2023.

For professional athletes, significant injuries that require surgery, such as a torn Achilles, often entail a two-year recovery period. The first year is focused on getting the player back on the field and regaining trust in the body part that was repaired. The second year is when the athlete returns to their pre-surgery self.

If that is the case for Johnson, 2025 was never going to be a breakout campaign. His outlook could be different when 2026 rolls around, though.

It would be foolish for New York to give up on Sherwood and Johnson after this season. They have too many roster holes to create new ones. But after a disappointing season for both this year, the defensive leaders will be expected to improve moving forward.

Reporting from the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, NJ.