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Tag: Jermaine Johnson

  • Writer Reveals Detroit Lions ‘Dream’ Offseason Trade Scenario

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    If the Detroit Lions are serious about maximizing their Super Bowl window, upgrading the pass rush opposite Aidan Hutchinson remains one of the final boxes to check. According to Moe Morton of Bleacher Report, there’s one offseason trade scenario that stands out above the rest—a bold move to acquire New York Jets EDGE Jermaine Johnson.

    It’s the kind of swing that feels aggressive, calculated, and very on-brand for Brad Holmes if the price is right.

    Why Jermaine Johnson Could Be Available

    The Jets’ roster situation has quietly shifted in a major way. Before the 2025 trade deadline, New York already moved cornerstone pieces Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams, signaling a willingness to reset parts of the defense. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, the Jets previously turned down trade offers that included a second-round pick for Johnson—but circumstances change quickly in the NFL.

    Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, carrying a $13.4 million cap hit, and New York is now staring at a draft class loaded with pass rushers. That combination alone makes trade conversations inevitable.

    The wildcard? Health and recent production.

    The Injury Factor—and Why It Helps Detroit

    Johnson’s 2024 season was derailed by a torn Achilles, causing him to miss 15 games. Last season, he appeared in 14 contests but posted modest numbers: three sacks, 13 pressures, and five tackles for loss. Those stats don’t jump off the page—but context matters.

    This is still the same Jermaine Johnson who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023, flashing the explosiveness, length, and power that made him a first-round pick. For Detroit, the dip in production could actually lower the acquisition cost, turning Johnson into a classic buy-low candidate with high upside.

    Why the Lions Make Sense as a Trade Partner

    From a roster-construction standpoint, the fit is almost too clean:

    • Aidan Hutchinson commands constant attention on one edge
    • Detroit needs a legitimate threat on the opposite side
    • Johnson thrives when he’s not the focal point of protection schemes

    Pairing Johnson with Hutchinson would force offenses into impossible choices—slide protection one way and get burned the other, or leave someone one-on-one and hope for the best.

    It’s also a short-term financial commitment. Detroit wouldn’t be locking itself into a long, risky contract immediately. Instead, the Lions could evaluate Johnson for a season and decide whether an extension makes sense.

    The Risk—and the Reward

    There’s no denying the risk. Achilles injuries are serious, and Johnson’s recent production doesn’t scream “sure thing.” But that’s exactly why this scenario qualifies as a “dream” trade rather than a guaranteed slam dunk.

    If Johnson returns to anything close to his Pro Bowl form, Detroit suddenly has one of the most dangerous edge duos in football—without spending a premium draft pick or committing long-term money up front.

    In a Super Bowl window, those are the bets contenders make.

    Final Thoughts

    Brad Holmes has never been afraid to zig when the league zags. Trading for Jermaine Johnson wouldn’t be flashy for the sake of headlines—it would be a calculated move rooted in value, timing, and roster fit.

    If the Jets are truly open for business, and if the price reflects the injury risk, this is exactly the kind of offseason swing that could push the Lions from contender to favorite.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Lions GM Brad Holmes Could Poach Pass Rusher from Aaron Glenn, Jets

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    With the NFL trade deadline nearing, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes may turn his attention to Aaron Glenn’s new team, the New York Jets, in search of pass-rushing help. One intriguing name that continues to surface is Jermaine Johnson II, a 26-year-old edge linebacker who’s shown flashes of brilliance but has battled injuries in recent years.

    A Rollercoaster Stretch for Johnson

    Johnson’s journey over the past two seasons has been anything but smooth. The former first-round pick (26th overall in 2022) suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2 of the 2024 season, cutting short what was expected to be a breakout year following his Pro Bowl campaign in 2023.

    In 2025, injuries have again crept into the picture. Johnson missed three games earlier this season due to an ankle issue but has looked solid since returning in Week 6, notching a quarterback hit in consecutive games. Despite limited reps, he’s managed to show the kind of speed and power that made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of Florida State.

    Contract Details and Trade Reality

    Johnson is under contract through the 2026 season, after the Jets exercised his fifth-year option back in April. That option guarantees him approximately $13.4 million, part of his four-year, $13.1 million rookie deal that included a $6.7 million signing bonus and full guarantees across the original contract value.

    The Jets, sitting in the AFC East basement, could be tempted to retool for future seasons, while the Lions, leading the NFC North, may be willing to pay for a pass rusher who fits their physical, aggressive scheme under Dan Campbell and Kelvin Sheppard.

    Johnson’s Stance on Staying Put

    Despite the trade buzz, Johnson has publicly expressed his desire to remain with the Jets. After meeting with team officials, he posted a famous “I’m not leavin’” GIF from The Wolf of Wall Street on social media, a clear sign of his intentions.

    “I’m definitely wanted here and I want to stay here. That’s been understood. Hence, the tweet,” Johnson told ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

    He added that there had been “clarity and communication” with the front office and emphasized, “it’s all good.” Still, as any NFL veteran knows, things can change quickly when a front office sees an opportunity to add future assets.

    Why the Lions Could Still Be Interested

    Even with his injury history, Johnson’s combination of size (6’5”, 254 lbs), length, and motor makes him an ideal fit for Detroit’s edge rotation. Pairing him with Aidan Hutchinson could give the Lions one of the most dynamic young pass-rush duos in football, especially in a system that thrives on discipline and physicality.

    Brad Holmes has never been afraid to make a bold move for the right player, and Johnson, with his youth and proven production, would fit the mold of a “buy-low, high-upside” acquisition if the price is right.

    The Bottom Line

    Jermaine Johnson’s future in New York seems stable, for now. But if the Jets continue to spiral and Brad Holmes senses an opportunity to strengthen Detroit’s front seven, the idea of poaching one of Aaron Glenn’s former players could be too tempting to pass up.

    Don’t rule out the Lions exploring another big defensive swing before the deadline, one that could make their defense even more dangerous come playoff time.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Cowboys trade idea nets $26.5 million pass-rusher ahead of NFL deadline

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    The Dallas Cowboys are big-game hunting edge-rushers ahead of the NFL‘s trade deadline, but they may need to settle for a good player instead of a great one.

    Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on Wednesday that the Cowboys have pursued both Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.

    “My sense is that Dallas would be pretty surprised if the Raiders actually moved on from Crosby, with whom owner Mark Davis has a deep affection,” Fowler wrote. “The Cowboys — armed with two first-rounders in 2026 and seven picks in total before compensatory selections — also have looked into Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, whom the Bengals don’t plan to deal.

    “Several other edge-rushers will be available league-wide, so expect the Cowboys to get involved in various talks. They have shown an eagerness to trade for players on rookie deals, which worked out great with [George] Pickens, who is having a contract year for the ages.”

    Read More: Cowboys Interested in Blockbuster Trade for $29 Million Edge-Rusher

    The big question then becomes if Dallas can’t land an elite player to replace Micah Parsons, who is out there for them? One name that makes considerable sense is that of Jermaine Johnson II, a 26-year-old defensive end and former first-round pick in 2022 (No. 26 overall).

    Matt Bowen of ESPN joined Fowler in authoring a trade column Wednesday that ranked Johnson as the 10th-best player who could potentially move ahead of the deadline, as well as one of the more likely movers with a 35 percent chance of getting traded.

    “An Achilles injury forced Johnson to miss 15 games in 2024, and he had to sit for three earlier this season with an ankle issue,” Bowen wrote. “But when healthy, he has the strength and the lower-body quickness to attack the pocket. Johnson had his best numbers in 2023 (pre-Achilles injury), when he totaled 7.5 sacks and 16 pressures.”

    Johnson, a Pro Bowler in 2023, is in the final year of his $13 million rookie contract. However, the Jets have already exercised the fifth-year team option on his deal for 2026, which is worth $13.4 million for that season.

    Dallas would be in position to get quality value on Johnson over the next year and a half if he remains healthy, at which point the Cowboys could decide on his long-term future with the franchise.

    Read More: Shilo Sanders Could Be Cowboys’ Surprise Fix for Mounting Secondary Issues

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