FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jermaine Johnson has always been sort of an afterthought for the New York Jets, dating back to the day he was drafted in 2022.
The third first-round pick by the team that year, Johnson hasn't won an award like wide receiver Garrett Wilson or been named to an All-Pro team like Sauce Gardner.
He has, however. remained a key cog in New York's defense despite that.
After improving his sack total from his first season to his second, the Jets had high hopes for Johnson in his third year. Things turned bad when the Florida State product suffered a torn Achilles in just the season's second game.
After almost a year of recovering from that injury, Johnson is just a few months away from returning to the field for the Jets. During mandatory minicamp, head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed that they expect Johnson to be ready for the start of the regular season.
That means Johnson will be on the field in Week 1 when the Jets take on the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers, their former quarterback.
“It was a pleasure having Aaron around and stuff like that, and I wish him the best,” Johnson said. “But when I get between those lines, there’s no friends. And I think he knows that, and he feels the same, so I’m excited.
“It’s just another game, but for me, it’s going to be my first game back and there’s a lot of emotions. And when my emotions run high, I tend to play pretty well.”
Johnson and Rodgers have recovered from Achilles injuries over the last two years. They have shared that connection dating back to last year when Rodgers helped Johnson recover.
Things are different now, though. Rodgers is a Steeler, and Johnson needs a big year on his own to show why he belongs among one of the best young edge rushers in the game.
He'll have a chance to show that in Week 1 against his former quarterback.