The New York Jets are once again in the middle of trade rumors, and it feels like familiar territory.
After a 5-12 season full of problems, the team is now going through big changes with a new head coach, a new general manager, and a new quarterback all set to start fresh in 2025.
With change comes hard choices, and one of the biggest is what the Jets should do with linebacker Jermaine Johnson II.
Johnson was one of the Jets’ three first-round picks in 2022, along with Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, and while Gardner and Wilson quickly became stars, Johnson took longer to show his skills.
In 2023, though, Johnson had a strong season, with 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and a touchdown from an interception, earning him a Pro Bowl spot and raising hopes for his future.
Then, in Week 2 of the 2024 season, Johnson tore his Achilles and missed 15 games, putting his future in doubt as he’s set to earn $4.1 million in 2025, the last year of his rookie contract, unless the Jets pick up his fifth-year option before May 1.
With so much change happening in New York, the Jets have to decide whether to keep or trade him while they can still get value.
- Jermaine Johnson II, a 2022 first-round pick and 2023 Pro Bowler, is rumored to be a trade target for the Philadelphia Eagles despite missing most of 2024 due to a torn Achilles.
- After losing defensive players Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham, the Eagles urgently need help at EDGE and see Johnson as a potential low-cost, high-upside solution.
- The Jets, under new leadership, must decide whether to gamble on Johnson’s recovery or trade him now, with the risk of watching him thrive in Philadelphia under Howie Roseman’s management.
Eagles’ Defensive Gaps Create Urgency
The Philadelphia Eagles need some help after losing several important defensive players, including edge rusher Josh Sweat, who signed a big contract with the Arizona Cardinals, veteran star Brandon Graham, who is near retirement, defensive tackle Milton Williams, and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
The Eagles have some young talent, but they need more proven players, especially on defense.
Right now, the Eagles are weak at EDGE. They signed Josh Uche, but he’s been injured often and hasn’t done much, even though Bryce Huff underperformed in 2024. Fans are doubtful about both, and it’s obvious the team needs to find better help.
Jermaine Johnson II: A Target from a Familiar Draft
Jermaine Johnson II now becomes a name to watch, especially after Joe Giglio, a sports radio host from 94WIP in Philadelphia, suggested the Eagles should trade for him. He explained that the Eagles were heavily involved in scouting the 2022 draft class and had two first-round picks that year, though one was traded for wide receiver A.J. Brown, which means they already did a lot of work on players from that group.
Players like Jordan Davis, who was the 13th pick, Kenyon Green at 15, Jahan Dotson at 16, and Kenny Pickett at 20 have all been linked to or played for the Eagles, and Johnson, who was picked 26th by the Jets, could be the next logical move.
The Jets now have a new coaching staff with head coach Aaron Glenn, and the coach who picked Johnson, Robert Saleh, is no longer with the team, which may open the door for a trade.
Johnson’s 2023 season was impressive as he had 56 pressures, nine sacks, and a top pass coverage grade of 95.1 from Pro Football Focus, showing he can rush the passer and drop into coverage when needed.
But Johnson’s Achilles injury changes everything as the Eagles would need to see how he recovers before making a big trade, although the injury could also make the Jets more willing to deal him at a lower cost.
Should the Jets Trade Now or Wait and See?
The Jets face a difficult decision because if they trade Johnson now, they avoid the risk of another injury or poor performance, but if they keep him and he plays well in 2025, they could offer him a long-term deal or trade him later for a bigger return.
The risk is that he doesn’t recover fully, and they end up losing him for nothing when his contract ends.
With Johnson’s value not clearly defined and the Jets still holding his contract, there’s no need to act quickly, especially with coach Aaron Glenn likely wanting to see Johnson play before making any decisions.
There is still time to evaluate his recovery, and making a rushed trade now could easily lead to regret if Johnson returns to form.
Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman has built a strong reputation for pulling off smart and bold trades, and several teams that have dealt with him have come out worse for it.
The Jets need to be cautious not to repeat that pattern, because sending Johnson to Philadelphia could backfire if he bounces back and plays at a high level.
This trade idea is a real possibility with real consequences, and the Eagles need help now while the Jets have a player with high potential but also high risk, so both teams have to weigh their options carefully because what happens next could shape their seasons and their futures.
