Aaron Glenn may be the real reason the NY Jets signed WR Tyler Johnson

The New York Jets made an under-the-radar addition earlier this month, signing veteran wide receiver Tyler Johnson in free agency. At first glance, it may have seemed like a routine depth addition, but there could be more to the story.

One familiar face on the Jets’ staff may have played a bigger role than expected. According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn may be the reason why Johnson is now in New York.

Cimini reported on Sunday that Johnson "made an impression" on his new head coach in Week 1 of the 2024 season when the former Minnesota star hauled in five catches for a career-high 79 yards in the Los Angeles Rams' Week 1 opener against the Detroit Lions.

Glenn was still serving as the Lions' defensive coordinator and had to come away impressed with the young wide receiver. A few months later, he played a role in bringing Johnson to his new football team.

The NY Jets are high on Tyler Johnson's upside

Johnson is arguably the most decorated wide receiver in Minnesota football history. The former high school quarterback finished his four-year career with the Golden Gophers as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2018 and 2019, topping 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in each season. That production was enough to get him drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After two moderately productive seasons in Tampa Bay, Johnson was a surprise cut prior to the 2022 season. Johnson was fresh off a 2021 season in which he finished with 36 catches for 360 yards and was the team's top receiver that summer.

He'd quickly get picked up off waivers by the Houston Texans, although it would take him a couple of seasons to get back on his feet. Johnson soon found a home with the Rams, where he emerged as the team's WR4 for much of the 2024 season.

Johnson finished the year with 26 catches for 291 yards and a touchdown, his most productive season since 2021. While he's never received an opportunity to play a large role in a team's offense, Johnson has always maximized his snaps.

The 26-year-old has hauled in 13 of a possible 19 contested-catch opportunities at the NFL level, per Pro Football Focus. He also didn't drop a pass on 39 targets last season and hasn't registered a drop since 2021.

Glenn saw firsthand how productive Johnson can be when given the opportunity, and the Jets are hoping they can continue to develop him this season. At just 26 years old, there's reason to believe he still has some untapped potential.

First impressions can go a long way in the NFL. For Tyler Johnson, one strong performance may have been all it took to earn Aaron Glenn’s trust, and eventually, a contract.

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