LAS VEGAS — It was easy to forget in 2022 that the Jets had three first-round rookies on their team.
Jermaine Johnson was a role player and it was a small role. He was overshadowed by fellow first-rounders Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson.
Not anymore.
Johnson is having a strong sophomore season with the Jets and he is wreaking havoc on opposing defenses. In his last four games, Johnson had 3 ½ sacks, eight quarterback hits and 23 quarterback pressures.
He has looked unstoppable.
“I’m just hungry, hungry to see what I can do, to be quite honest, and to give my team the best version of myself,” Johnson said this week. “That’s been my mindset. Just go out there and play with tremendous effort and never let myself forget that they’ve got to stop me. I just go out there with that mindset.”
It was clear from the start of training camp that Johnson was a different player than in his rookie year. He looked more powerful and comfortable and was causing problems for the Jets’ offensive line. Now, he’s doing it to opponents.
The Jets have introduced a wrinkle with Johnson recently. He no longer solely lines up on the outside. On some passing downs, the Jets have him lined up in the middle of the offensive line, standing up and blitzing from a linebacker position.
“It’s been awesome, honestly,” Johnson said of the new wrinkle. “It’s something I’m doing for the first time in my football career, rushing along the whole line. It’s really fun, to be honest. Obviously, the further in the line you go, the worse pass protectors they are or else they would all be tackles. In terms of passing downs and situations the coaches have put me in to get different rush opportunities, it’s been really fun. Clearly, it’s really effective. It helps the team at the end of the day. I’m having fun. The team’s having fun. It’s extremely fun and I’m excited about what the future holds for sure.”
Against the Chargers last week, Johnson moved all over the line. At one point, he was lined up on the same side as Bryce Huff, creating a difficult blocking situation for any offense.
It appears as if the Jets coaches are giving Johnson the freedom to move around as he likes. Johnson would not reveal whether it is his call to move around.
“I can’t say too much about it,” he said.
Even when he is at defensive end, Johnson usually stands up rather than lining up in a three-point stance like his teammates do. Johnson looks like a 3-4 linebacker coming off of the edge rather than a 4-3 defensive end.
“I just feel like personally I can jump the snap better,” Johnson said of standing up. “I can see the quarterback and the tackle and the O line, their mannerisms before the ball is actually about to snap. I just feel like I can get a better jump on the ball. On run downs, you can recognize the play that it is when you’re getting off the ball rather than when you are in a three-point stance. If you’ve got to step and get up and then diagnose. I like how fast I can diagnose. They’re giving me freedom to stand up or go down as I please. I think it’s been really good for me as well as the team.”
Johnson is part of a Jets defensive line that is feasting on opposing offenses this season. Quinnen Williams, Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, Quinton Jefferson and Johnson are all having big seasons. If one does not get home to the quarterback, they are creating opportunities for the others.
“We really hunt as a pack,” Johnson said. “No one is selfish. We all communicate in terms of what we’re seeing. I’m going throw you an ‘oop’ here, I’m going to throw you an ‘oop’ there. This is what I’m seeing. This is what I think is good. We hunt as a pack. We communicate really well. We’re really getting the hang of rushing with each other.”