New York Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson II has endured a difficult season by his standards. It shouldn’t be considered a surprise.
Johnson suffered a brutal season-ending Achilles injury in Week 2 of the 2024 campaign. It’s amazing he’s even on the field this season.
It’s also negatively impacted Johnson’s effectiveness in 2025. The former Florida State standout has registered just three sacks this campaign.
Head coach Aaron Glenn finds that to be a perfectly reasonable explanation for Johnson’s inconsistent form this year.
“I think him coming off the Achilles, it takes awhile to get back to where he was,” Coach Glenn told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s acclimating to getting back to where he used to be.”
Even with Glenn’s backing, Johnson is still holding himself to a high standard.
“In my opinion, [crappy],” Johnson said via the New York Post. “I don’t think it’s the standard by any means.”
Perhaps Johnson is acclimating and trending in the appropriate direction. Two of his three sacks occurred throughout the month of November, indicating an improvement in production.
It’s still a far-cry from the 7.5 sacks Johnson recorded as a breakout sophomore in 2023.
Johnson is tied for third on the Jets in sacks with Jowon Briggs. Will McDonald IV (7.0) and Quincy Williams (3.5) have been more productive. Johnson does rank second in pressures (32), trailing McDonald by just one pressure (33) for the team lead.
Johnson is signed through 2026 after the Jets exercised his fifth-year option.
The Jets are showing faith in his full recovery. Hopefully Johnson continues improving.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Aaron Glenn offers reasonable explanation for Jermaine Johnson’s 2025
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