Jets' Tyler Johnson release shows just how far the Jets have come since 2025

The New York Jets announced on Tuesday morning that they would be signing wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett to their practice squad after releasing him this past weekend. New York needed a roster spot after activating veteran Tim Patrick off injured reserve, and Pritchett was deemed expendable.

In a corresponding move, the Jets released veteran wide receiver Tyler Johnson from their practice squad, allowing the six-year veteran a chance to land elsewhere. Johnson, who spent the entire 2025 season with the Jets, was brought back in September after the Jets lost both Omar Cooper Jr. and Patrick to injury.

Johnson is a good benchmark for where the Jets are and where they came from. In 2025, the wide receiver situation was incredibly bleak, particularly at the start of the year. Aside from Garrett Wilson, New York was relying on the likes of Josh Reynolds, Allen Lazard, and even Johnson as starting wide receivers at various points throughout the season.

The Jets, who were in a fortunate position not to have to rely on Johnson at any point over the last month, have come a long way since then thanks to Darren Mougey's construction of the wide receiver room.

New York Jets' new and improved wide receiver room

The Jets' wide receiver room in 2025 started off particularly bleak, especially once Wilson was essentially shut down for the year with a lingering knee injury. As mentioned, New York was relying on barely replacement-level guys to keep their offense functioning.

Johnson was one of those guys. Across 12 games and five starts for the Jets, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft pick hauled in 12 receptions for 197 yards and one touchdown. Luckily, the Jets did eventually make some much-needed additions.

Leading up to the trade deadline, the Jets acquired John Metchie from the Philadelphia Eagles and Adonai Mitchell in the famous Sauce Gardner deal. Neither player was a true WR1, but they were a lot better than what New York was initially dealing with.

In 2026, the Jets wide receiver room is a position of strength. At least, it was before injuries. Mitchell has slotted in as a solid secondary option across from Wilson. Cooper, despite only appearing in one game this season, showcased his yards-after-catch abilities, and Patrick is a great run blocker with solid hands.

It's a credit to Mougey for figuring out how to totally overhaul a single position group in just one offseason.

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