This isn’t the case for the Jets, at least on paper.
The defensive line continuity that defined 2023 has faded.
John Franklin Myers is gone. Bryce Huff is gone.
Carl Lawson left the team after his playing time was significantly reduced.
Veterans Al Woods and Quinton Jefferson, who signed one-year contracts before last season, also left the team.
And, more or less, Jermaine Johnson, Quinnen Williams, a few other returning rotation players (Will McDonald IV, Solomon Thomas and Michael Clemons) and a trio of rookies (Haason Reddick, Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw) will take the place of the 20.5 sacks who are no longer on the roster.
The Jets can hope that a player like McDonald, last year’s first-round draft pick, can fill that void with a breakout performance.
Redick, who has been waiting for a long-term contract but has not gotten a chance to play, has recorded at least 11 sacks in each of the past four seasons.
But an encore to the next step in Johnson’s evolution — a five-sack increase from Year 1 to Year 2 — would be a key layer to make up for lost production and ensure the Jets’ line remains one of the top units in the NFL.
“We expect to keep a clean sheet every game, every year,” Johnson said Thursday. “Like I always say, I’m excited to go for a drive in this new car.”
In his second season, Johnson saw increases in sacks, total tackles (29 to 55) and, perhaps most importantly, defensive snaps (34 percent to 66 percent).
He played a key role as a pass rusher under coach Robert Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Urbich, more than quadrupling the quarterback pressures (6-for-25).
Johnson said he hopes to blend speed and power to play every role for Gang Green this year, including making the tackle, blocking for tight end and even playing inside on snaps when needed.
“Just play hard and dominate,” Johnson said. “It’s as simple as that.”
It may take some time for that to happen.
Johnson sacked Bills quarterback Josh Allen in Week 1 last year, but didn’t record a hit on a quarterback until Week 5.
Johnson recorded three hits and 1.5 sacks in Week 12, but just three hits and one sack in each of his final five games.
The 25-year-old Johnson spent the offseason trying to get input from offseason signee Tyron Smith, the 33-year-old offensive lineman he calls the league’s best pass protector and an “irreplaceable” opponent, on how he can improve.
Still, it’s unlikely the Jets will be able to shut out every opponent.
That part of Johnson’s goal is unrealistic.
But it may be feasible for them to put together 20.5 sacks, and while some of those will inevitably come from other linemen, more sacks from Johnson could close the gap.
“I’m not worried about where those 20 people are coming from,” Saleh said.
