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Former New York Jets defender Jermaine Johnson reacting ahead of an NFL game against the New England Patriots.
The New York Jets hammered out a trade with the Tennessee Titans.
Gang Green is set to flip EDGE Jermaine Johnson in exchange for big man T’Vondre Sweat. NFL Insider Dianna Russini noted that both players must pass their physicals, and the trade can’t become official until the start of the new league year on March 11.
With that swap, the Jets opened up $11.7 million in cap space for 2026, per Spotrac.
#NFL TRADE
#Titans Acquire
DE Jermaine Johnson
2026: $13.4M (gtd)
2027: UFA
#Jets Acquire
DL T’Vondre Sweat
2026: $1.6M (gtd)
2027: $2.1M ($471k gtd)
NYJ frees up $11.7M of cap while TEN adds $12.6M. The trade can’t officially process until March 11th.
According to Over The Cap, the Jets now have over $91 million in cap space, which is now the third most in the league.
Insider Reveals a Truth Bomb About Johnson Trade
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler revealed that Johnson “has quietly wanted out of New York and targeted a reunion with Titans coach Robert Saleh as one of his preferred options.”
Johnson has quietly wanted out of New York and targeted a reunion with Titans coach Robert Saleh as one of his preferred options. Jets find him a home while adding run-stuffing help. https://t.co/Vz5QXxaHx2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 26, 2026
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY explained that the Jets had incoming and outgoing calls on Johnson at the NFL trade deadline. In other words, they shopped him, and other teams called about his availability.
ESPN Insider Peter Schrager said this trade between the Jets and Titans was “hammered out” over the last 24 hours.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained that “scheme” factored into the trade from both the Jets and the Titans’ perspective.
In Robert Saleh’s scheme with the Titans, they typically prefer four down linemen who don’t have as much weight. While the Jets appear to be jumping from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, which requires a nose tackle in the middle who can eat space.
Jets Intentions in the Draft Come Into Focus
“The Jets appear to be set at defensive tackle now with T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, and Jowon Briggs — but edge rusher is an even bigger need now than it already was. Will McDonald is the only edge rusher of note under contract for 2026,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic posted.
The Jets appear to be set at defensive tackle now with T’Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs — but edge rusher is an even bigger need now than it already was.
Will McDonald is the only edge rusher of note under contract for 2026.
Don’t ultimately blame them for
The Jets seemingly checked one position off the bucket list, but opened up another.
It seemed like the overarching thought for the Jets was which front-seven player they would take No. 2 overall. Following this Johnson trade, that feels like a near certainty.
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay said, “This only increases the urgency for Edge with the No. 2 overall pick for the Jets. It’ll be an upset if it’s not Arvell Reese or David Bailey.”
This only increases the urgency for Edge with the No. 2 overall pick for the Jets. It’ll be an upset if it’s not Arvell Reese or David Bailey. https://t.co/nF5llIeFM8
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) February 26, 2026
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said Johnson’s “departure reinforces the belief that the Jets will take an edge player with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.”
PFF lead NFL draft analyst Trevor Sikkema said, “Rueben Bain at 2 📈📈.”
Candidly, the Jets needed pass rush help, even if they kept Johnson with McDonald. Last season, the Jets finished 31st in the league in sacks (26). So this trade would seemingly suggest that the team is going to go pass rusher at No. 2, which makes sense, but the work doesn’t stop there.
There is no better example than the Seattle Seahawks, who just won the Super Bowl. You can never have enough pass rushers. Last season, the Jets became the only team in NFL history to go through a full season without registering an interception.
One of the reasons for that is that the opposing quarterbacks had all day to throw. With no threat of a consistent pass rush, there were fewer errant throws for the defense to take advantage of.
If the green and white want to turn their defense around, they have to hit the upgrade button on the EDGE.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
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