Jets defense just got a whole lot scarier after preseason opener

In the New York Jets' 30-10 preseason victory in Green Bay, the team's defense surrendered just 188 total yards to the Packers. The unit is quickly emerging as one of the NFL's most promising, and by the looks of it, it seems that Aaron Glenn’s already-impressive defense is slated to receive a massive boost.

That will be in the form of one of its most important stars making his long-awaited return to the gridiron. It was never really in doubt that Jermaine Johnson would be ready for Week 1, but when he would return. The Jets are still being cautious with the Pro Bowl edge rusher.

While it remains unclear if the Florida State product will log any preseason snaps after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 2 of the 2024 season, his rehab has been steadily progressing throughout the summer.

And on Sunday afternoon, their patient approach paid off, as the fourth-year defensive lineman was activated off the PUP, signaling he should be back on the field for Tuesday’s practice and a full go for Week 1 against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers.

Jermaine Johnson’s return gives Aaron Glenn and Steve Wilks another weapon for the Jets' defense

The announcement originally came from Johnson himself, who revealed the news during a Saturday night Twitch stream. It was later confirmed by NFL analyst and Turn on the Jets host Will Parkinson, whose tweet came nearly five hours before the 26-year-old was officially activated.

A first-round pick in 2022, Johnson has appeared in 33 career games, including 19 starts. He did little as a rookie, but in his sophomore campaign in 2023, Johnson started all 17 games, recording 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 55 total tackles en route to being named to his first-career Pro Bowl.

Alongside guys like Quinnen Williams, Will McDonald, Jamien Sherwood, and Quincy Williams, the Jets are eager to regain that type of production in their front seven, assuming he will return to his pre-injury form.

New York also picked up his fifth-year option, leaving the Minnesota native under contract through 2026. His 2022 draft-mates Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner already received lucrative extensions from new general manager Darren Mougey, and he’s looking to be the next to cash in.

If his comeback resembles his 2023 form, the Jets’ defense — already looking like a potential top-tier unit this August — could be downright terrifying when the real games begin, especially with Rodgers set to return to East Rutherford.

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