In an uncommon February move, the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans have agreed to a trade.
The Jets are sending pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II to Tennessee in exchange for nose tackle T'Vondre Sweat, sources told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. The deal will officially take effect when the new league year begins on March 11.
This trade reunites Johnson with head coach Robert Saleh, who coached him in New York after the Jets used a first-round pick on him in 2022. Johnson had an up-and-down tenure with the Jets, totaling 13 sacks over four seasons. He earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 with 7.5 sacks under Saleh, but injuries limited him to just two games in 2024, and he never seemed fully recovered last season.
For the Titans, the move addresses a need for pass-rushing help around star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. By acquiring Sweat, Tennessee strengthens its interior line and potentially frees up salary cap space to chase other defensive line upgrades, possibly including a reunion with former Saleh standout John Franklin-Myers.
Johnson had been considered a trade candidate last year, and this deal suggests the Jets are likely preparing to use their No. 2 overall pick on a rookie edge rusher. Sweat, a 6-foot-4, 366-pound force, provides much-needed bulk to the middle of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit, which struggled against the run. While Sweat has just three sacks in two seasons, his ability to occupy blockers makes him a key piece in stopping the ground game.
