(VIDEO) Jets Trade Pass Rusher Jermaine Johnson to Titans for Defensive Tackle T’Vondre Sweat

The New York Jets and Tennessee Titans agreed Thursday to a player-for-player swap that sends edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee for nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat, a deal that reunites Johnson with his former coach Robert Saleh while giving the Jets a promising young run-stuffer on a cost-controlled contract.

The trade, first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and confirmed by multiple sources including NFL Network, ESPN and the Associated Press, cannot be officially processed until the start of the new league year in March. Both players must pass physicals for the deal to become final.

Johnson, 27, was the Jets’ first-round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft under Saleh, who was then New York’s head coach. The Florida State product spent four seasons with the Jets, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2023 after recording a career-high 7.5 sacks. Last season, he appeared in 14 games with 13 starts, finishing with 43 combined tackles, six quarterback hits and 3.0 sacks. Over his career, Johnson has 131 tackles, 27 quarterback hits and 13 sacks in 47 games.

The move marks the latest exodus of a former first-round pick from New York. The Jets previously traded star cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys at last year’s trade deadline, signaling a significant roster overhaul under new leadership.

For the Titans, the acquisition brings back a familiar face. Saleh, hired as Tennessee’s head coach this offseason after his Jets tenure, now reunites with the player he helped draft. Johnson will play the 2026 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, providing immediate pass-rush help for a Titans defense looking to rebound from a 3-14 campaign in 2025.

Sweat, 24, was selected by the Titans in the second round (No. 38 overall) of the 2024 draft out of Texas. The 6-foot-4, 366-pound defensive tackle played in 12 games last season, recording 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and three quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus ranked him among the top run-stoppers at his position in 2025, with the sixth-best grade among defensive tackles as a run defender.

Analysts have praised the Jets for acquiring Sweat, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal and cannot be extended until after the 2026 season. Trading Johnson, whose fifth-year option carries a cap hit of approximately $13.4 million in 2026, allows New York to create salary-cap flexibility while adding a high-upside interior defender to pair with existing pieces like Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs.

Sweat is expected to fit well in the scheme new Jets defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn plans to implement in 2026. Glenn, who will also call plays, has emphasized building a stout run defense, and Sweat’s size and quickness make him an ideal nose tackle in a 4-3 alignment.

Trade grades from major outlets leaned toward the Jets as the winners in the exchange. CBS Sports highlighted New York’s gain in contract control and positional value, noting Sweat’s youth and production against the run. Sports Illustrated suggested the deal positions the Jets to target a top edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft with their high selection, potentially the No. 2 overall pick.

For Tennessee, the trade represents a bet on Johnson’s upside under Saleh’s guidance. Despite a dip in production last season, Johnson’s athletic traits and experience make him a potential reclamation project for a Titans team rebuilding after a disappointing year. The move adds veteran presence to an edge group needing reinforcement.

This swap is one of the earliest significant player trades in recent NFL history, occurring well before free agency and the draft. It reflects both teams’ strategic priorities: New York shedding salary and repositioning for youth and draft capital, Tennessee leveraging a coaching reunion to bolster its pass rush.

Neither team has commented officially on the deal as of Thursday afternoon. The trade underscores the Jets’ continued transformation, with multiple high-profile departures reshaping the roster ahead of what could be a pivotal offseason.

As the league year approaches, attention will turn to how both players integrate into their new schemes and whether this exchange proves beneficial long-term. For now, it’s a notable early move in what promises to be an active period for NFL transactions.