The Jets have one big reason to believe in Jamien Sherwood again

New York Jets fans were understandably excited about the future of linebacker Jamien Sherwood following his breakout 2024 season. But the former Auburn standout quickly went from one of the biggest breakout stars on the roster to one of the team's biggest disappointments in the span of a year.

After signing a lucrative contract extension following his breakout 2024 campaign, Sherwood struggled through an underwhelming 2025 season that raised legitimate questions about his long-term future with the organization.

Now, entering 2026, the Jets are counting on him to bounce back. At least, that's the hope.

Day 50 of your 2026 Jets Camp Countdown belongs to the Auburn Avenger, the Robert Saleh Success Story, and one of the highest-paid linebackers in football embark on his redemption tour this season...it's Jamien Sherwood.

1. Where Jamien Sherwood stands entering Jets training camp
2. Demario Davis could help bring out the best version of Jamien Sherwood
3. What would make 2026 a success for Jamien Sherwood
4. Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

Where Jamien Sherwood stands entering Jets training camp

Sherwood was legitimately one of the Jets' best defensive players in 2024. Thrust into a starting role following an injury to C.J. Mosley, Sherwood finished fourth among all NFL linebackers with 59 run stops and led the league in solo tackles with 98.

He also allowed just 435 receiving yards and didn't surrender a single touchdown in coverage despite logging the 12th-most coverage snaps at his position. That breakout season earned him a three-year, $45 million contract extension the following offseason.

Unfortunately, Sherwood's 2025 season didn't go as smoothly. His run stops dropped from 59 to 48, he allowed 578 receiving yards and four touchdowns in coverage, and he was even benched for a brief stretch during the season.

He just never looked comfortable in his first year as the Jets' full-time MIKE linebacker, despite serving as the defensive captain and wearing the green dot.

The Jets committed to Sherwood after one excellent season. Now they need him to show that 2024 wasn't an outlier in the scheme of his former coaching staff.

Demario Davis could help bring out the best version of Jamien Sherwood

The biggest reason for optimism doesn't necessarily have to do with Sherwood himself. Rather, it has more to do with the arrival (or return?) of Demario Davis.

RELATED: The Jets' Demario Davis reunion couldn't have come at a better time

The Jets signed the five-time All-Pro linebacker to a two-year, $22 million contract this offseason, and he's expected to take over at MIKE linebacker, allowing Sherwood to slide back into his natural WILL role.

That should allow Sherwood to spend more time flowing to the football instead of constantly taking on blockers and handling the responsibilities that come with being the quarterback of the defense.

The additions the Jets made up front on their defensive line should help, too. With players like T'Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, David Onyemata, and Jowon Briggs eating up blocks in the middle of the team's defense, Sherwood should have more opportunities to play downhill and use the speed that made him such an effective linebacker in 2024.

If everything comes together, the Jets have a chance to field one of the better linebacker duos in the NFL. But that remains a big if.

Camp Countdown: Your guide to every player on the 2026 Jets roster

What would make 2026 a success for Jamien Sherwood

It goes without saying that this is a massive season for the former Saleh developmental success story. Sherwood will carry a $19 million cap hit in 2027, but the Jets could move on after this season and save roughly $11.5 million against the salary cap.

Of course, they'd much rather see him reestablish himself as a long-term building block of the defense, especially with his position-mate, Davis, pushing 40. In some ways, the future of the Jets' linebacker room depends on it.

Davis turns 38 next January and obviously isn't a long-term answer, while the depth behind the two starters remains thin. The Jets need Sherwood to prove he can be part of this defense beyond 2026.

Few players on the roster have more riding on this season than Sherwood. If he returns to his 2024 form, the Jets will feel much better about both their investment and the future of the linebacker position.

Recent 2026 Camp Countdown Breakdowns

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