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Jed York, CEO of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates celebrates with head coach Kyle Shanahan after winning the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Santa Clara, California.
An intriguing trade took place in the NFL on Thursday that involved multiple veteran players. According to several reports, the New York Jets have agreed to trade Pro Bowl edge-rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for former second-round pick and defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. Johnson will now join his former head coach with the Jets, Robert Saleh, in the music city.
This is significant news in the Bay Area because while Saleh was with the 49ers as their defensive coordinator last season, they were reportedly interested in trading for Johnson at last season’s trade deadline. According to insider David Lombardi, the 49ers and GM Jed York were willing to offer a third-round pick in exchange for Johnson, but the Jets wanted a second-round pick.Â
49ers/Saleh wanted Jermaine Johnson at the 2025 trade deadline and were willing to part with s 3rd rounder — unlike Jaelan Phillips, Johnson was under contract for 2026 as well. But the Jets wanted a 2.
Now, Saleh gets his guy. Had to trade away a DT with 2 more rookie deal… https://t.co/lQFpTb2wmT
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) February 26, 2026
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A Trade for Jermaine Johnson Likely Wouldn’t Have Moved the Needle for the San Francisco 49ers
While Johnson is a quality player when healthy, his presence in San Francisco likely wouldn’t have taken the team to new heights. His health has been a question mark after he tore his Achilles during the 2024 season. Furthermore, he has just three total sacks across the last two seasons and six total quarterback hits. If a trade had taken place that would have brought him to the Niners, it likely would have done nothing more than give Saleh’s defense another serviceable veteran.
Another reason why his presence likely wouldn’t have had a major effect is that the 49ers were missing some major pieces on defense late in the season. Both All-Pro edge-rusher Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner (dislocated ankle) are still currently recovering from season-ending injuries.Â
Despite another playoff appearance, the 49ers ended up getting routed in the divisional round of the playoffs by the arch-rival Seattle Seahawks 41-6. That marked the end of Saleh’s second tenure with the organization as he went on to accept the head-coaching role in Tennessee.
How the 49ers Can Respond Defensively in 2026
GettySan Francisco 49ers star defender Nick Bosa will look to respond in a big way in 2026 after getting his 2025 season cut short due to injury.
While the 49ers could not strike terms on a trade to get Johnson, and although Saleh has left for another head-coaching opportunity, the sky can still be the limit for this franchise. Not only has head coach Kyle Shanahan proven to be one of the league’s best head coaches since he was hired back in 2017, but the organization made a wise hire in the wake of Saleh’s departure.Â
To replace him, the 49ers hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach and former Super Bowl champion defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Morris, who got his first coaching opportunity in the NFL back in 2002 as a defensive quality control coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, helped the Los Angeles Rams bring home the Lombardi Trophy as their defensive coordinator in 2021.Â
With Bosa and Warner on track to be ready for the start of next season, and along with the hiring of Morris, the 49ers have a great shot at being a top-tier defense in 2026. With six draft picks in the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, the Niners have ample opportunity to build on their strong defensive core in another post-Robert Saleh era.
Tim Lindsey A Chicago-area native, Tim Lindsey has covered the world of sports through a variety of different lenses. More specifically, he has been an NFL writer for sites such as Sports Illustrated and PFSN. Notable teams like the Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major point of emphasis for the longtime writer in the past. More about Tim Lindsey
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