From the moment Jermaine Johnson was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he wanted to work for the Jets like he did during his final year of college at Florida State.
head.
It took some time, but the Jets’ edge rusher finally appears to have found his place as a team leader.
It all makes more sense now, as Mike Norvell, Johnson’s coach at Florida State, told the Post the day after he was drafted:
“When he came here, we talked and I told him I didn’t want this to be just a place to improve his draft status. It was an opportunity to make an impact,” Nobel said. “He embraced it. He wanted to make a difference.”
Nobel’s words resonated with Johnson as he embarked on his NFL career, and the Jets hope he can continue his legacy as a game-changing force behind a strong front seven.
Johnson wasn’t in a position to lead the team in his rookie season, and his snap count was low, which led to his lack of productivity. In 14 games, he didn’t start and had only 2 ½ sacks, three tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits.
“My rookie season wasn’t the best because I felt like I could go out there and change a game, and I still feel that way,” Johnson said after practice Monday. “But that’s OK. God’s timing is the best timing. Everything went as it should, and I’m happy to be where I am.”
The jump from 2022 to last season was dramatic. It included 17 starts, 7 ½ sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an INT return for a TD (more on that in a moment).
The increased playing time and productivity has allowed Johnson to do more of what he does best: lead.
“I’m just a big guy,” Johnson said. “You have to do what I do to support your team and make a living.”
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who coaches the offense (and sometimes defense), is the undisputed leader of the team.
Linebacker C.J. Mosley is the veteran leader on defense, but Mosley is not the talkative type, more of a quiet, exemplary leader.
Johnson filled the gap in this part and embraced it.
“I felt like I had a good year last year, and there are people who expect a little more from me as a leader,” he said. “That’s my job. It’s my duty to them. I’m definitely honored by that.”
It’s a mature expression for a 25-year-old in his third season in the NFL.
One of the players Johnson is helping is second-year edge rusher Will McDonald, who, like Johnson as a rookie, was limited in snaps and production (three sacks, a forced fumble, four pass tackles, five quarterback hits).
Like Johnson as a rookie, McDonald is still an untapped talent with a lot of potential.
“One of the things I tell him is, ‘Don’t compare yourself to me. You’re yourself. You’re running your own race,’” Johnson said. “We’re two different guys. Will’s running his own race, and he’s running it very well. He knows his time is coming. That’s one of the things I always tell him, ‘Your time is coming. Just make sure you’re ready.’”
Johnson was ready when his snap count increased last year.
His most dynamic play this year came when he swatted a pass out of the air from Joe Flacco during a pass rush and ran 37 yards for a touchdown.
But when Johnson was asked Monday what his favorite play from last season was, he cited the one when Gang Green forced Eagles quarterback Jaylen Hurts into a key INT in the Jets’ 20-14 win over undefeated Philly after trailing 14-12.
“Change of ownership is everything. [so] “That was one of my favorite plays for the team,” he said. “I didn’t get any crazy stats on that play, but it was a play that helped change the momentum of the game and helped us win.”
When reminded that he had a number of highlight-reel plays, including an INT and a TD, in a 37-20 loss to Flacco and the Browns in Week 17, Johnson said, “Yeah, but we didn’t win, so…”
This is a mature answer.
“I thought he really stepped up last year because of his mentality, the way he attacks every day, the way he plays every play like it’s his last,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Monday. “If he keeps that mentality, he’s going to get better because his skill level is going to improve. But he’s a guy that everyone looks to for leadership. He’s a tremendous presence on this football team.”
