The New York Jets have made their first major offseason move, trading edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Tennessee Titans for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. ESPN's Seth Walder grades this deal as a clear win for the Jets, giving them an A- while the Titans receive a C. The trade kicks off what promises to be an active NFL offseason.

Johnson, the Jets' 2022 first-round pick, has been inconsistent in New York with just 7.5 sacks in 2023 and 5.5 over his other three seasons. Advanced metrics show his pass rush win rate at just 8.4%, well below the 15.6% average for starting edge rushers. The Jets' new head coach Robert Saleh previously coached Johnson in Tennessee, which may have influenced the trade. Johnson's 2026 salary will be $13.4 million on his fifth-year option.

Sweat, a 2024 second-round pick, brings youth and cost certainty to the Jets. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract at just $1.6 million and $2.1 million respectively, compared to Johnson's $13.4 million. While Sweat's 6.5% pass rush win rate is below average for defensive tackles, his younger age and cheaper contract make him the better long-term investment for New York's rebuilding defense.