Jets’ Pass Rush Evaluation: A Tough Season

Jermaine Johnson II spoke candidly this Wednesday about the Jets’ pass rush this season. His words? “In my opinion, [crappy].” It seems he doesn’t believe this underperformance is typical for the team.

The Jets’ 3-10 record showcases numerous problems, but one of the biggest letdowns has certainly been the lack of a strong pass rush. With two first-round picks at edge rusher, Johnson and Will McDonald IV, expectations were higher. Initially, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who recorded 12 sacks last season, was also expected to contribute significantly.

Everyone anticipated they would create a fierce rush against opposing QBs, especially with a revamped defense under coach Aaron Glenn. Yet, sadly, injuries have plagued key players, sidelining them for most of the year.

This season, the Jets have only managed 22 sacks—the fifth lowest in the NFL. Though some fans might say that sacks aren’t everything, the Jets are also struggling in pressures, tallying just 72, which ranks them among the bottom three alongside the 49ers and Panthers.

When it comes to pass rush win percentage, ESPN places the Jets at 23rd with only 34 percent. Coach Glenn sees potential for improvement, noting Johnson’s return from an Achilles tendon injury and the need for McDonald to step up. “We need him to move on,” he said. The coach acknowledged that after some blitzing attempts, players often find themselves in one-on-one situations, which they have to win. However, Johnson’s and McDonald’s performances have fluctuated, sometimes resulting in six sacks one game and none in another, reflecting a concerning inconsistency.

Glenn’s perspective seems to waver; he recognizes their issues but points out there’s room to grow. For instance, while Johnson and McDonald shone during a game against the Browns, netting six sacks collectively, they’ve struggled to replicate that performance reliably.

Johnson commented on the troubling trend—“It’s a lot of things,” he noted, adding that there are no excuses for their struggles—they just need to perform better. Currently, Johnson has three sacks this season, a stark contrast to his career high of 7.5 in 2023. His ranking at 61st among 112 edge rushers in pass rush metrics reflects these challenges.

It’s been a difficult recovery journey for Johnson, recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Week 2. He mentioned that reaching full strength took longer than anticipated, compounded by an ankle issue that caused him to miss three games. “I would say I didn’t really feel like myself until the Ravens game,” he recalled, expressing that he feels he’s only recently begun to regain his form.

As for McDonald, he entered the season with high hopes after a successful previous year, but he’s faced hurdles. While he leads the team with seven sacks, these all came in just three games, with consistent pressure being a notable absence in numerous others. In fact, he had zero sacks in ten games this season, indicating a troubling inconsistency that further complicates the Jets’ challenges.

Ultimately, the Jets are grappling with significant pressure issues, which is frustrating for Johnson and the team at large. “It’s disappointing for me and the whole team,” he reflected. “There’s no reason why we couldn’t be any better. I think everyone in the building, our teammates, our coaches, all have to look in the mirror and see what we can fix and do our best when it matters most, the next game.”