From the moment Jermaine Johnson was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he was eager to accomplish for the Jets what he accomplished during his final year of college at Florida State.
lead.
It took some time, but the Jets edge rusher seems to have reached his position as a team leader.
It all makes more sense when you hear what Mike Norvell, Johnson’s coach at Florida State, said to The Washington Post the day after Johnson was drafted.
“When he got here, we had a conversation and I told him I didn’t want this to just be a place to climb up the draft rankings, this was an opportunity to make an impact,” Norvell said. “He embraced that. He wanted to make a difference.”
Norvell’s words have resonated as Johnson begins his NFL career and the Jets look to leave a legacy as a game-breaking force within the team’s potent front seven.
Johnson wasn’t in a position to lead or play many snaps in his rookie year, which led to a lackluster performance: He didn’t start in 14 games and recorded just 2.5 sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits.
“My rookie year wasn’t the best because I felt like I could go on the field and change the game, and I still feel that way,” Johnson said after practice Monday, “but it’s OK. God’s timing is perfect. Everything worked out just as it was supposed to, and I’m happy with where I am right now.”
The jump from 2022 to last season was dramatic: 17 starts, 7½ sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an INT return for a touchdown (more on that later).
The surge in playing time and production has emboldened Johnson to do what he does best: lead.
“I’m just a big guy. You have to earn your living and your role on the team with your work,” Johnson said.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers coaches the offense (and sometimes defense) on the field and is the team’s unquestioned leader.
Linebacker CJ Mosley is the veteran leader of the defense, but he’s not the type to be vocal; he’s more of a quiet leader who leads by example.
Johnson fills a void here and embraces it.
“I felt like I had a decent year last year and I have some guys that look to me to be a leader,” he said. “That’s my job. That’s my obligation to them. I definitely take it as an honor.”
Those are mature words coming from a 25-year-old in his third year in the NFL.
One of the players Johnson is helping out is second-year edge rusher Will McDonald, who, like Johnson, had limited playing time and production in his rookie year (three sacks, one forced fumble, four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits).
Just as Johnson was a rookie, McDonald is an untapped talent.
“One of the things I tell him is, ‘Don’t compare yourself to me. You’re your own person. 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 understands his time will come. One of the things I always tell him is, ‘Your time will come. Just be ready.'”
Johnson was ready when the snap count increased last year.
His most dynamic play this year came when he intercepted a Joe Flacco pass in the air and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown during a pass rush.
But when asked Monday what his favorite play from last season was, Johnson cited forcing Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts into a key interception in the Jets’ 20-14 win over Gang Green, who was trailing unbeaten Philadelphia 14-12.
“It’s all about the change of ownership. [so] “That’s one of my favorite plays I’ve made for my team,” he said. “I didn’t make a big play out of it, but it changed the game and helped us win.”
“Yeah, but we didn’t win, so…” Johnson replied, recalling his multiple stat lines — an interception and a touchdown — in the 37-20 loss to Flacco and the Browns in Week 17.
Mature answer.
“I thought he really took a leap last year with his mindset, the way he attacked every day and the way he played every play as if it was his last,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Monday. “If he keeps that same mindset, he’ll naturally get better as his skill level goes up, but he’s a guy that everybody looks to for leadership. He’s been a great addition to this football team.”
