Jermaine Johnson
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Jermaine Johnson could be a big addition for the Titans.
Jermaine Johnson joined the Tennessee Titans on Thursday after a rare player- for-player trade with the New York Jets during the NFL Scouting Combine.
The former Florida State and Georgia standout spent four seasons in New York and sent a heartfelt message to his old fan base after the Jets swapped him for former Titans defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat. Johnson, a former first-round pick and Pro Bowler, had a solid stint in Gotham and could make a significant addition to the Titans defensive front.
“New York, thank you for everything truly,” Johnsonwrote on social media on Friday. “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.”
Johnson has shown greater upside than Sweat in moments, which could have the Titans coming out ahead in the trade. In addition, Johnson has been a little more durable than Sweat in their respective careers, and Johnson is still on his rookie contract and almost two years removed from a 2024 Achilles tear.
As for the Jets, Sweat can make an impact, but defensive end now becomes a potential priority with the No. 2 pick in the draft, when the Jets have many other key priorities such as quarterback.
Comparing the Player Swap
On paper, Johnson and Sweat have similar numbers and contracts, which made the trade possible. That said, it’s a rarity to have a trade in the NFL without draft picks involved.
Sweat had a four-year,$9.55 million deal with the Titans, and Johnson had a four-year,$13.087 million contract with the Jets. Johnson has nine pass deflections,13 sacks, 131 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and recovery, and one defensive touchdown in his four-year career. Sweat has85 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and recovery, and two pass deflections in two seasons.
Titans Breaking From the Past
Former Titans general manager Ron Carthon’s players are still leaving the roster under new general manager Mike Borgonzi. In addition, an addition such as Johnson helps the defense in Year One under new head coach Robert Saleh.
Sweat’s departure adds to a seven-year string of second-round picks not working. That’s everything from wide receiver A.J. Brown being traded in 2022 to the Philadelphia Eagles and most recently, edge Oluwafemi Oldadejo changing positions after his rookie season in 2025.
Cornerback Kristian Fulton, the 2020 pick, never received a contract extension. Likewise, offensive tackle Dillon Radunz, a 2021 pick, also never received an extension.
Defensive back Roger McCreary, a 2022 pick, didn’t make it to his second contract either as the team traded him. Quarterback Will Levis didn’t pan out and got benched after a 2023 selection.
Brown may be the one who stings the most of all though, since he went on to have more solid years with the Eagles, though he may hit the trade block again. Past second-round picks have worked out in Tennessee such as Fernando Bryant in 2004, Eddie Robinson in 1992 and Samari Rolle in 1998.