Jets Ship Pass Rusher Johnson to Titans in Exchange for Defensive Tackle Sweat

The New York Jets have reached an agreement to send defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in return for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. The player swap reunites Johnson with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who now leads Tennessee.

The New York Jets have reached an agreement to send defensive end Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, according to a source with knowledge of the transaction who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The source requested anonymity since this player exchange involving two starters cannot be finalized until the NFL’s new league year begins on March 11.

ESPN and NFL Network were first to report the transaction.

This move will reunite Johnson with Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who previously served as New York’s head coach when the Jets selected the Florida State product with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2022 draft. Johnson will also work again with defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who coached his position during his initial three seasons with New York.

Johnson expressed his gratitude to the Jets organization through a post on X, writing: “New York, thank you for everything truly. The love I’ve been shown here for the past 4-5 years has been nothing short of amazing, both on and off the field. Y’all will always hold a special place in my heart. Wish all of my former coaches and former teammates the best!! Thank all of y’all for sharing a battlefield with me.”

He concluded his message with “11 out,” a reference to his Jets jersey number, along with a salute emoji.

This transaction means the Jets now retain only one of their 2022 first-round selections: wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who was chosen 10th overall that year. Cornerback Sauce Gardner, selected fourth overall, was sent to Indianapolis in November.

The move positions New York to potentially select the draft’s top pass rusher in April — possibly Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Texas Tech’s David Bailey, or Miami’s Reuben Bain — with the second overall pick as head coach Aaron Glenn works to strengthen a defense that ranked among the league’s worst during a disappointing 3-14 campaign. Glenn dismissed defensive coordinator Steve Wilks with three games left in the season and brought in Brian Duker last month as his replacement. Glenn announced Tuesday at the NFL combine that he will handle defensive play-calling duties next season.

Johnson, 27, was scheduled to play under his fifth-year rookie option next season, but his departure will free up $13.4 million in salary cap space for the Jets, and he could enter free agency following next season. Despite being viewed as an emerging talent in his early Jets years, which included a 2023 Pro Bowl appearance, Johnson managed only three sacks last season after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in the second game of 2024.

During his Jets tenure, Johnson recorded 13 sacks across 47 games, scored a touchdown on an interception return, forced one fumble, and recovered another. After achieving a career-best 7½ sacks in 2023, Johnson is now expected to bolster the pass rush in Saleh’s defensive scheme in Tennessee.

Sweat was Tennessee’s second-round choice from Texas in 2024. The 6-foot-4, 366-pound interior presence should help solidify a defensive front that also features tackles Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, along with edge rusher Will McDonald.

The 24-year-old nose tackle, selected 38th overall by Tennessee two years ago, accumulated three sacks and 85 total tackles over 29 games, starting 28 of them. Sweat sustained an ankle injury in Tennessee’s season opener against Denver, landing on injured reserve before returning after a five-game absence, and proved to be a valuable contributor to the Titans’ defensive line.