The third-year edge rusher spoke about his role and preparation for the 2024 season
One of the New York Jets’ best young defenders is looking to take another step forward in 2024.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson spoke about what he focused on in the offseason to improve as a player.
“Technique, low pad level, explosion, speed. Just trying to be the apex predator. Do power at an extremely high level and finesse at an extremely high level to really put tackles in a bind. Dominating everything all around is really where my head is,” said Johnson.
Asked about new addition Haason Reddick, Johnson said that they are all on the same page and are looking “to go out there and dominate.” He also expressed his excitement in learning as much as he can from Reddick as a player.
Johnson also said he “relishes” the opportunity to step into a leadership role in his third season and plans to give the Jets “all he has” as a veteran player and leader.
Johnson is arguably the least talked about player among the Jets’ top four picks in the vaunted 2022 draft class. Through his first two seasons, he has not amassed the star power that Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, and Garrett Wilson have.
However, Johnson is one of the team’s most vital pieces on the defensive side of the ball. The strides he made in year two helped the Jets become even better on defense, as he combined his usual strong run defense with an improved pass-rushing output that resulted in 7.5 sacks.
With the improvements he has been striving for in the offseason, Johnson has a chance to improve in all facets of his game. If he can accomplish this feat, the former Flordia State defender could establish himself as a household-name defender in 2024.
