Copyright International Business Times
The Philadelphia Eagles are hard to stop on the defensive end, but this won't stop the defending champions from looking for a formidable defensive end soon. Recently, a reputable reporter said that the team is pursuing the New York Jets DE Jermaine Johnson. Eagles' Front Office Connection with Johnson According to an early report by The Athletic's Diana Russini, the 26-year-old pass rusher has emerged as a potential trade target as the Eagles seek to strengthen their defensive front ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Another catalyst for this possible move is the ties that bind Eagles senior personnel director Joe Douglas and the Jets. Douglas was the general manager in New York when Johnson was selected in the first round in 2022. Now with the Philadelphia front office, Douglas predictably targets Johnson as someone who can fit into the team's defensive scheme. However, the New York Jets reportedly want at least a second-round pick in return for the talented edge rusher, so the price remains high. That could make negotiations tricky, but Johnson's upside may be worth it for a contender like Philadelphia. Can Jermaine Johnson's Playstyle Fit With the Eagles? At 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds, Jermaine Johnson possesses the size, athleticism, and production that perfectly fit Philadelphia's defensive philosophy. He's an unstoppable force to guard. In two seasons since entering the league, he has compiled 107 total tackles, 11 sacks, and 7 passes defended. According to Sports Talk Philly, Johnson had 55 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one interception returned for a touchdown, and a forced fumble in 2023. He brings great consistency and explosiveness off the edge to a defense looking to generate more pressure and depth. Analytics back up his impact, too. Pro Football Focus graded him with an overall score of 61.5 and a pass-rush grade of 59.3, placing him among the more reliable young edge defenders in the league. Contract and Cap-Friendly Value Currently, Johnson is on a four-year rookie contract worth approximately $13.09 million with a fully guaranteed $6.7 million signing bonus. The Jets exercised his fifth-year option for 2026, which carries a projected $13.4 million cap hit. This deal gives any acquiring team a mix of affordability and long-term control, a combination that rarely presents itself for a player of Johnson's caliber. His contract would allow the Eagles to bolster their pass rush without breaking their salary cap structure. In other news, NFL Trade Rumors' Wyatt Grindley reported that the Eagles are not interested in trading WR A.J. Brown ahead of the deadline.
