Expectations can be a burden for NFL players. In the case of New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson, they have often been unfair.

A first-round pick out of Florida State, Johnson looked like an ascending player over his first two seasons—a young edge rusher trending toward a breakout on what appeared to be a playoff-caliber roster.

Then came the injury.

Johnson tore his Achilles tendon in Week 2 of the 2024 season, leaving him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Now ,more than a year removed from surgery, Johnson’s return hasn’t produced the immediate impact many fans hoped to see.

Jets’ honest assessment of edge rusher

While fans may have high expectations for Johnson, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn remains confident the 26-year-old will ultimately get back to full strength.

Asking for that to happen in 2025, though, was unrealistic.

“I think he’s still working his way to be the Jermaine that we all know, and he’s going to continue to do that,” Glenn said. “We’re playing against some pretty good tackles also, but he’s not going to use that as an excuse. I know he feels the same way that he needs to go out there and make the plays he can make to help us be successful on defense.”

Johnson has logged only three sacks this year, while going five consecutive games without one. Overall, he has earned a mediocre defensive grade of 64.6 from Pro Football Focus.

Doctors who have spoken with Jets X-Factor have consistently stated that lower leg surgeries typically require a full two years to heal. The first year is about gaining trust back in the body part that was affected. The athlete is trying to get back all movement, and that takes time.

Things change in the second year, though. That is when the athlete returns to 100%, as confident as they were before they got hurt. Keep in mind, Johnson is still in his first season back.

“There’s some patience with that, but there’s also some improving as the week
needs to go for him to continue to get to where he’s trying to get to,” Glenn said.

Time will tell if Johnson can ever get back to his pre-surgery self. However, history shows that Achilles injuries are among the most difficult to recover from.