Newly reported trade between the New York Jets and the Tennessee Titans ahead of the first day of the NFL Combine impacts both teams immensely.
Jermaine Johnson II
The Tennessee Titans add a 27 year old pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II from the Jets who had 43 combined tackles (22 solo, 21 assisted), 3.0 sacks, and 5 tackles for loss to new head coach Robert Salehs‘ defense. Johnson is a classic 4-3 defensive end who previously earned Pro Bowl honors under then Titans HC Saleh. His 2024 campaign was cut short due to a torn achilles in a game where the Jets beat the Titans 24-17. It’s almost like he was always destined to reunite with Robert Saleh, a true reunion that both sides hope returns to the Pro Bowl potentials they saw previously.
Another notable impact is that Johnson is set to play on his fifth-year option of his rookie contract in this 2026 season. The former 26th overall pick from the 2022 draft has a lot of potential to flourish with his Saleh reunion.
The 6’5″ 253 LB EDGE is also something that Saleh prefers over the larger 360LB+ nose tackle they are sending away to the Jets in the deal. Johnson remains the perfect profile for the 4-3 Saleh defense that prioritizes speed, get-off, and the wide-9 techniques from his defense ends.
T’Vondre Sweat
The New York Jets add a space eater in the middle of their defensive line in T’Vondre Sweat. The 24 year old nose tackle finished the 2025 season with just 12 combined tackles (7 solo, 5 assisted), and 2.0 sacks – though he did miss significant time in the season due to an ankle injury in the season opener against the Denver Broncos. Sweat makes sense for a defense that recently traded away their previous guy in Quinnen Williams.
The Jets previously employed now Titans HC Robert Saleh, now with HC Aaron Glenn and Karl Dunbar, many believe a shift back to a 3-4 defense is on the horizon. The fit of Sweat in the 3-4 fits well as the young physical nose tackle can occupy blockers in the A-gap while Glenn attempts to generate a pass rush. At 6’4″ and 366 lbs, the former 2nd round pick (38th overall) is a fantastic young piece that can grow with a defense that looks to only improve with the upcoming NFL Draft and the 2nd overall pick.
Sweat still has 2 years remaining on his 4-year, $9.5 million rookie contract. Sweat was the 2023 Outland Trophy winner as the nations top interior lineman at the University of Texas. While not an immense presence as a pass rusher, his size makes him an immovable object against the run.
March Hold-Up
The timing of this news though does tell us that both teams are seemingly looking to move on from both players as no mentioned draft compensation yet signals a simple “change of scenery” trade for both players. If the trade is amended down the road, I expect minimal draft compensation to be added, if at all.
The trade cannot actually even be processed until a specific date: March 11th, 2026, a Wednesday at 1600 EST. While many may say, “Why that date?” It’s the beginning of the 2026 NFL League Year and until that date, all 2025 player contracts are technically still in effect, and of course, the trading period is closed.
