NY Jets: Ty Johnson talks Robert Saleh, Zach Wilson, and much more in exclusive interview

The 2020 season was a roller coaster for both Ty Johnson and the NY Jets.

Johnson was released by the team that drafted him just three weeks into his sophomore NFL season. Meanwhile, the Jets struggled to the tune of a 2-14 record putting together one of the worst seasons in franchise history.

But last season is in the past. And going into 2021, both Johnson and the Jets are looking forward to change. A change of scenery, a change of personnel, and most importantly, a change of culture.

Johnson will be at the forefront of that change with the third-year running back expected to play an important role in the Jets' offense this season.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Johnson ahead of the start of this season. We talked about a variety of things ranging from his time in Detroit, his first impressions of Robert Saleh and Zach Wilson, and who exactly hurt Olivia Rodrigo?

It was a good time, to say the least.

Thanks to Ty for taking the time to chat with us. Below is a full transcription of our conversation.

Ty Johnson on his time with the Detroit Lions and how he found out the NY Jets had claimed him

Justin Fried: "I want to start by first talking about last season. It was, I'm sure, an eventful one for you. You started the year in Detroit, finished with the Jets. Take me through what must've been a roller coaster of a year for you."

Ty Johnson: "I was going through it honestly. I felt like I was in a position to play way more going into my second year in Detroit. The coaches were calling me saying they were excited to see me. [Matt] Patricia said it was my best camp to that point. Going into Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, I was told face-to-face that there was a plan for me to play. I was told the plays they were trying to get me on, what they were trying to do to get me in open space. So I had high hopes obviously for Year 2. And then, I believe it was the Saints week, going into Week 4, they pulled me aside after practice and told me I was 'donezo.' I was obviously like 'aww man.' I was eating right, I was busting my a--, I was doing everything I possibly could. But I get it, they drafted two running backs in D'Andre Swift and Jason Huntley.

Getting to the Jets, I was actually at a bar in Detroit with Jahlani Tavai, that was my dog in Detroit. I was in my feelings, of course, because who wouldn't be? Jahlani was like, 'let's get some drinks you ain't got nothing to do tomorrow' and I was like, 'you're right, I ain't got nothing to do tomorrow.' So we went to a bar and we were watching the Jets play the Broncos on Thursday Night Football. And I was like 'it would be crazy if I went to the Jets.' Next day, Rex [Hogan] calls me up and that's how it went. I felt like when I got to the Jets, I was still ready to play and do my thing. Obviously, I can't sub myself in, but I felt like I had a few good games that showcased my talent and what I could do. It could have been more productive, but at the end of the day, it is what it is."

JF: "I can only imagine the roller coaster of emotions you went through. Going from thinking you're going to play a big role to getting cut by Week 4. But then you got the opportunity with the Jets and made the most of those limited touches. Hopefully you can get a bigger role this year, and hopefully it's not just talk this time.

Ty Johnson on playing with Frank Gore and the advice he gave him

JF: "Now, you had the opportunity to play alongside one of the greatest running backs of the last generation in Frank Gore last year. What was it like sharing a running back room with him and was there any specific advice that he might have shared with you?"

TJ: "I got to be around him for pretty much a full season. I was with Adrian Peterson in Detroit and then Le'Veon [Bell] when I first got to New York too. But Frank, he runs hard as hell. You can't beat that. He's a different generation compared to me. He runs hard no matter what. When I'd get on the field, he'd tell me 'Don't think about it, just play. You've been doing this since you were five years old, just play.' That's something that coaches have told me throughout my life too so I've always followed that."

Ty Johnson on adapting to New York

JF: "You didn't grow up too far away from where you are now. You lived in Maryland most of your life then, of course, you went to Detroit. What's been the biggest adjustment with living in the New York/New Jersey area?"

TJ: "I'll be honest with you, you have to be a bully on the road. Definitely the driving. I haven't been over to New York too much, I stay in New Jersey. But other than the driving, I was really spoiled in Detroit with the indoor field. I get to MetLife and realize it's outdoors and I was like 'dang it's going to be cold out here.' But yeah the driving and stuff, people are rude out here. You know, I'm polite, I try to let people over. Not here in New York. People ain't going to let you do that. You ain't getting that here."

JF: "[Laughs] Yeah that's not going to fly in this area, people can be rude here."

TJ: "Yeah I'm sure they're great people, but on the road, they're some a---s, I'm not going to lie."

Ty Johnson's first impressions of Robert Saleh and the NY Jets' new coaching staff

JF: "That's just the way of life there. Obviously, the Jets made a lot of changes this offseason. They brought in a new coaching staff. What have been your first impressions of Coach Saleh, Coach LaFleur, and the whole staff?

TJ: "Just the energy, really. You know when you feel something and it just feels right? You can't really explain it. Like when some people get married and they know it's the right person. Or when you buy a house and you know that this is the one. With Joe [Douglas], [Rex] Hogan, Woody [Johnson], and Chris [Johnson] bringing in [Robert] Saleh, it just feels right. It feels good. I can't even explain it. You'd have to be in the building to experience it. Change is coming and I'm excited for it. Coach Saleh can get anyone amped up. I was talking to him during Phase 1 and I wanted to run through a brick wall for that guy. And before I even met him, when they were doing those Instagram videos of him, I could tell this guy had some sauce to him. It was about to be a good year. He's a defensive-minded coach so he's going to cheat the drills a little for the defense. That's what all coaches do. But man you could just feel the energy. It's great man."

JF: "I'm not even in that building and I could feel it. Like you said, just watching videos of this dude, watching him on TV, seeing that energy he brings. I could feel it through the screen. I can only imagine what it's like being in that locker room.

You kind of touched on it already, but there seems to be a renewed sense of optimism with the organization now. What's the vibe like at One Jets Drive? Is that same optimism being shared by the guys in the locker room?"

TJ: "Oh of course. And it's not like we're going to try to be better than two wins. We're not trying to win three games. We're trying to play every week to win. We're ready to stomp people out. We're ready to smack them in the face and jump off the ball. That's the biggest thing. Jumping off the ball with violence and physicality. We're coming ready to play. And I think that's going to show because all the guys believe in that and they believe in the process of everything that Coach Saleh and the organization are doing. There are a lot of guys at One Jets Drive and they all feel it. From the analytics/logistics team to the chefs to the people that clean up after us. Everyone is just psyched to get this thing rolling."

Ty Johnson on the NY Jets' running back competition

JF: "Aside from the coaching staff, the roster experienced quite a bit of turnover as well. There are new names in the backfield with Tevin Coleman and Michael Carter. Of course, you, La'Mical Perine, and Josh Adams are all returning. What's your mindset going into the season knowing that there's going to be some stiff competition?"

TJ: "Just play really. Just have fun with it. Obviously the coaches have already set who they want to be there for the season. But I'm really just coming in to have fun with it. When I get my chances I'm going to make the most of them. I got a family that loves me and wants to see me playing, and I want to play too. We got a lot of guys who can do a lot of different things and I think each and every one of those skill sets will be utilized to make the running back room successful. So my mindset with that is just to have fun and just play man. I don't read articles or anything like that. I try to stay away from all that because everyone's going to have an opinion. I just try to play my heart out and have fun with it."

JF: "That's really the only mindset you can have. Control what you can control and do what you can when you're out there. There are a lot of talented guys on the roster and we'll see how everything shakes out."

Ty Johnson on Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and the revamped NY Jets offensive line

JF: "I wanted to touch on a few other changes the Jets made, first the offensive line. They already had Mekhi Becton, the conversation always has to start with him. But now you got Alijah Vera-Tucker coming in, they signed Morgan Moses. How do you feel about the offensive line? Are you excited to run behind those guys?"

TJ: "Come on man. That's like setting me up in the Home Run Derby."

JF: "[Laughs] I know it's a softball question, I lobbed it up for you."

TJ: "And I'm about to dunk that joint [laughs]. I'm excited man. We got some guys, no we don't got guys, we got some monsters on the ball. We got some mammoths. I'm excited to see Moses and, of course, Becton and AVT. The way coach wants them to get off the ball and move people, whoever's going to be in the backfield is going to have a field day running behind those guys. You got GVR [Greg Van Roten] and all those guys on the line just being all-in with the system. There are going to be plenty of gaps opened up and running lanes to the second level. Becton and all those guys are going to make that happen."

JF: "It's a scary sight, for sure. You already had Becton, but now you have AVT lining up next to him. I wouldn't want to be an opposing linebacker or DB filling a gap."

TJ: "That's what I'm saying man [laughs]."

Ty Johnson's first impressions of Zach Wilson

JF: "We can't talk about change without talking about the quarterback position. The Jets brought in Zach Wilson this offseason, he's the quarterback going forward. What are your first impressions of Zach, has he been as advertised?

TJ: "Oh yeah man, he can ball. He can play. Obviously he's a young guy and I feel like, no matter who you are, you're going to have growing pains coming into the league. But they're called growing pains for a reason. You learn from them and get better. But the kid can ball, he can sling that thing. Everyone already knows it, but he's a film junkie, he's always watching film. He wants to learn the other teams' schemes. I think he's going to show, not only in the first game but throughout the season, that he's the real deal."

JF: "That's awesome to hear. I know we're all excited to see him take the field and get his career underway."

Is Ty Johnson a dog or cat person?

JF: "Before we finish, I just wanted to hit you with a few quick-hitter questions that shouldn't require much thinking."

TJ: "Thinking might not be my strong suit so that's good."

JF: "[Laughs] Fair enough. Alright first up, are you a dog or cat person?

TJ: "Oh dog, come on man."

JF: "See that's the way I was too, then my wife got two cats and, I'm not going to lie, I love them to death. I still love dogs, but I think every dog person just needs the right cat to come around."

TJ: "Yeah my mom had cats growing up and they were like little demons. I don't like them."

JF: "There are some bad cats out there, I got you man. If someone asked me that question, I'd still say I'm a dog person, but I got a soft spot for cats now."

TJ: "I got four dogs upstairs right now. I have my Saint Bernard Husky, I got my girl's Siberian Husky, and I actually got a Golden Retriever when I was training. My mom also has her little pug up there too, it's the ugliest thing, but you know, it's whatever. He's just like snorting and coughing at random times, it's like 'what the hell is wrong with you?'"

Ty Johnson's favorite things to do outside of football

JF: "[Laughs] Do you have any favorite things to do outside of football, other than collect big dogs?"

TJ: "I like cooking, I watch anime, and I work and my cars and stuff. That's pretty much it."

JF: "Do you have any signature dish that's your favorite to cook?"

TJ: "My signature dish used to be surf and turf, but I tried upping the game a little bit. My favorite dish I've made so far I made last year for my girlfriend's birthday. It was salmon with linguini in a white wine reduction cream sauce or something. I also love making spaghetti, I'm talking homemade, no canned stuff. I like it a little spicy too so I'll throw a little green chili in there. Cook down the onions, all of it man."

JF: "Oh man I made a mistake asking that question, I haven't eaten lunch yet."

TJ: "I'm about to eat lunch right after this. I've been making these chicken wraps with avocado, kale, and spinach. It's really good."

JF: "Man I'm about to go make a ham sandwich or something [laughs]. My wife's the chef of the family, I'm lucky I got her."

Ty Johnson's favorite musical artists and "who hurt Olivia Rodrigo?"

JF: "Do you have any favorite musical artists that you're listening to right now or just your all-time favorite artist?"

TJ: "I was just listening to that Olivia Rodrigo and I was like 'who hurt you?' [laughs]. But I like her she's good. I like Kota the Friend, he's actually from New York I believe. I have a whole bunch. I like Latino music. I guess The Weeknd is an all-time favorite. I could go on about what Spanish music I listen to. You have to have that Selena in there of course. But yeah, The Weeknd is probably my all-time favorite."

JF: "I respect that, The Weeknd is super talented and I really like his music too. Love the Selena shoutout as well."

Ty Johnson's favorite football team and players growing up

JF: "I think I might already have an idea seeing as you grew up in the Maryland area, but did you have a favorite football team growing up?"

TJ: "I was a Washington fan. That's the team everyone in my family liked. I feel like in Cumberland, everyone is either a Steelers, Ravens, or Washington fan. Out here, I feel like there's a lot of Steelers fans too."

JF: "Yeah it really depends on where you are. I grew up on Long Island so there were a ton of Jets and Giants fans, but once you get out there in that New Jersey area, you might start seeing some Steelers or Eagles fans."

JF: "Did you have any favorite players growing up? I know you said you were a Washington fan, so maybe any favorite players on that team? Or even now too, who are some of your favorite players to watch?"

TJ: "When I was growing up it was Clinton Portis. He was a dog man. Then it was LT [LaDainian Tomlinson]. They were just crazy when I was young. As for now, I try not to say I have a favorite player because I'm at the same level as them. I don't want to be like riding their jock or anything. But you know, CMC [Christian McCaffrey] and Alvin Kamara, they get on the field and you already know they're going to ball out."

JF: "If you're a fan of football, you like to watch those guys play."

TJ: "That's what I'm saying, you can't not watch them play."

Ty Johnson on the talent he wishes he had and Marvin Jones singing in the locker room

JF: "Exactly, alright last question. If you could have one skill that you don't possess, what would it be? For example, I wish I could sing. But I definitely, definitely cannot sing."

TJ: "Oh I was going to say the same thing. I wish I could sing. I have a piano upstairs and I started learning the 'Runaway' song by Kanye because it's like the easiest thing. And dude if I could sing, it would be over for a lot of these guys. You know, I think I'm pretty cute, my mom tells me I'm cute. If I could sing, and I play ball too, that could be the trifecta right there."

JF: "Exactly, multi-talented man. That's the deadly combination. A professional athlete and a singer."

TJ: "[Laughs] That's what I'm saying man. I was in Detroit with Marvin Jones and the first time he sang I was like 'man I hate you.' He had the voice of an angel. I was like 'you got to stay over there bruh I'm good.'

JF: "I'm sure most of the guys in that locker room aren't the most talented singers. They're not The Weeknd or anything."

TJ: "Hey man, I'm telling you, you got to look up Marvin Jones' American Idol audition tape. That boy can sing."

JF: "I had no idea that Marvin Jones did American Idol [laughs], I'll have to check that out."

TJ: "Yeah, you got to check that out as soon as we're done, for real."

JF: "I definitely will. I hope he drops some music on Spotify or something, I'll have to check him out. Alright well Ty I appreciate you taking the time man."

TJ: "Of course, thanks for having me!"

Special thanks again to Ty Johnson for taking the time to sit down for this interview. The 2021 season promises to be an important one for the Jets as they look to embark on a new era.

And Johnson figures to be at the forefront of that change.