With Jermaine Johnson Out For The Year Jets Must Scramble For Answers The Athletic

Jets Must Scramble at Outside Linebacker After Jermaine Johnson's Season-Ending Injury

How the Jets Will Replace Their Top Pass Rusher

The New York Jets suffered a major blow to their defense on Monday when it was announced that outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson would miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Johnson, the team's first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, had been one of the Jets' most impressive players during training camp and was expected to be a key contributor on defense this season. With Johnson out for the year, the Jets will need to find a way to replace his production. Johnson was expected to start opposite Carl Lawson at outside linebacker and was expected to be a major part of the Jets' pass rush. The Jets have a few options to replace Johnson, but none of them are ideal. One option is to move Quincy Williams to outside linebacker. Williams started 16 games at inside linebacker for the Jets last season and has some experience playing outside linebacker. However, Williams is not a natural pass rusher and is better suited to playing inside the box. Another option is to sign a free agent outside linebacker. The Jets have been linked to several free agent outside linebackers, including Justin Houston and Melvin Ingram. However, both of those players are over 30 years old and may not be the long-term solution that the Jets are looking for. The most likely option is for the Jets to promote Bryce Huff from the practice squad. Huff was a fifth-round pick by the Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft and has shown some promise as a pass rusher. However, Huff is still a raw player and may not be ready to be a full-time starter. No matter who the Jets decide to replace Johnson with, they will need to find a way to generate pressure on the quarterback. The Jets had just 33 sacks last season, which was tied for 29th in the NFL. If the Jets want to improve their defense this season, they will need to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback.

The Jets' Options to Replace Jermaine Johnson

* Move Quincy Williams to outside linebacker * Sign a free agent outside linebacker * Promote Bryce Huff from the practice squad

The Jets' Need for a Pass Rusher

The Jets had just 33 sacks last season, which was tied for 29th in the NFL. If the Jets want to improve their defense this season, they will need to find a way to get more pressure on the quarterback.