With the Jets trading Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans, what does this mean for how Gang Green wants to approach the 2026 NFL Draft?
In a shocking twist, the New York Jets have finalized a trade that sent Pro Bowl defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for DT T’Vondre Sweat.
Because the league is technically still in the 2025 season, this trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins in March.
Johnson was the target of several trade rumors last season, but ultimately stayed in East Rutherford. But It was still unclear whether or not Johnson was a part of the future core for the Jets.
This move in turn reunites Johnson with his former Jets coach Robert Saleh in Tennessee, who just took over the head coaching job last month.
For Sweat, he brings a whole lot of size to the Jets interior, which is crucial after New York traded away All Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.
He enjoyed two solid seasons in Nashville, where totaled 85 tackles, 38 solo, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery in which he took for 30 yards.
But with a change in a regime, it didn’t seem like Sweat fit into the plans with Saleh.
Titans beat writer Paul Kuharsky wrote shortly after the trade was announced that Saleh wasn’t looking for a pure nose tackle, ultimately sealing Sweat’s fate with the Titans.
This is an interesting domino effect for the Jets with the Draft coming up in April.
The Jets currently hold the number-two pick in the Draft and instead of opting for a quarterback like Ty Simpson or a defensive back like Caleb Downs, they may have shown their hand.
There are a few options on the edge for the Jets to inquire about. Ruben Bain, the defensive end out of Miami is an intriguing choice to replace Johnson’s productivity.
This past season, Bain was voted as an All American in 2025, as well as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, where he accumulated 15.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.
On the other hand, the Jets could opt for outside linebacker David Bailey out of Texas Tech.
Bailey was also voted as an All American, and after transferring out of Stanford to Lubbock, Bailey’s production skyrocketed.
He ended up leading the FBS with 14.5 sacks and led the Big 12 with 19.5 tackles for loss.
While the Jets have lost a Pro Bowler in Johnson, they made up for it by bulking up the interior and opening themselves up for an elite edge rusher in the draft.
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