Jets–Titans Trade Breakdown: Jermaine Johnson for T’Vondre Sweat — Grades, Impacts & What Comes Next

In a surprising early-offseason move, the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans agreed to a player-for-player trade that sends edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to Tennessee in exchange for nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat.

This marks another major roster shift for New York — and a chance for both teams to inch closer to defining their identities heading into the 2026 season.

Let’s break down the trade, grade it for both franchises, and look at what else each team needs to do with their early first-round draft capital.

🔄 The Trade in Context

Transaction: Jets send DE Jermaine Johnson to the Titans — Titans send DT T’Vondre Sweat to the Jets.

Status: Player-for-player swap; official once the NFL league year begins on March 11.

Who’s Who:

• Jermaine Johnson: 2022 first-round pick (Jets), Pro Bowl edge rusher with 13 career sacks, previously battled a torn Achilles and posted 3 sacks in 2025.

• T’Vondre Sweat: 2024 second-round pick (Titans) interior defensive tackle, 85 tackles and 3 sacks over two seasons, PFWA All-Rookie Team selection in 2024.

🟩 Grade: Jets — A+

This trade earns a strong grade for New York — even if it feels unconventional.

Why it works:

✅ Scheme fit: The Jets are transitioning to a 3-4 defensive base under coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Sweat is a classic nose tackle who can anchor multiple fronts. Sweat’s presence allows New York to improve their interior run-fit and free up linebackers and edge rushers to get after the passer.

✅ Cap & youth: Johnson was entering the final year of his contract with a $13.4 million cap hit. Moving him clears space and risk tied to his injury history.

✅ Draft leverage: New York’s defensive overhaul already included trading stars like Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for draft capital. This move further pushes them toward a rebuild-with-direction philosophy — setting up to use the No. 2 overall pick on a premier edge rusher in April.

Analysts widely view this as a win for the Jets, who get a player suited to their system without sacrificing draft picks — and clear space to pursue even more high-impact talent.

🔥 Grade: A+

Grade: Titans — B-

For Tennessee, this move has logic but is less obviously a slam dunk.

Pros for Tennessee:

• Reunites Johnson with Robert Saleh, now the Titans’ head coach — Saleh coached Johnson in New York and knows how to maximize his abilities.

• Johnson still carries athletic talent and disruptive potential in a 4-3 defense.

Cons:❌ Talent differential: Sweat was a young, ascending interior anchor with room for growth. Johnson’s production since his 2024 injury has been modest — and while he has upside, that’s a risk the Titans took without offering draft capital.

❌ No draft compensation: Analysts feel Tennessee could have wrested at least a mid-round pick alongside Johnson — giving them future flexibility — but instead offered Sweat as the lone return.

So while the B- grade isn’t a knock — Johnson still helps Tennessee’s defense — it underscores that the Titans likely overpaid in value compared to other potential deals.

🔥 Grade: B-

What This Means for Each Team

🗽 New York Jets — Build With Purpose

This trade’s bigger picture: New York is rebuilding its defense while pushing to accumulate impact pieces and cap flexibility.

Next offseason priorities:

• Draft an impact edge rusher. With the No. 2 overall pick, names like Arvell Reese, David Bailey or Rueben Bain are in play — all of whom offer premium pass-rush potential.

• Upgrade secondary depth. After moving on from Sauce Gardner, the Jets will need playmakers — either in free agency or targeted draft selections.

• Continue defensive line evolution. Sweat is a start, but interior rotation and depth will be key.

New York appears committed to a longer-term rebuild where draft capital and scheme fit drive roster construction.

Tennessee Titans — Re-Establishing Identity

For the Titans, acquiring Johnson suggests a belief in scheme fit and the hope that familiarity yields production.

Immediate needs after this move:

• EDGE depth. Even with Johnson, Tennessee will likely need more consistent pressure options — either in free agency or via early picks.

• Defensive backfield upgrades. The Titans need coverage help to pair with structural defensive pieces as the roster retool continues.

If this deal works and Johnson returns to form, the Titans add a disruptive edge presence and help fill a long-standing weakness.

🏁 Final Verdict

This is one of those trades that feels big but subtle:

• 🎯 Jets win the value game — better scheme fit + cap relief + draft flexibility.

• ⚙️ Titans take a calculated swing — reunite talent with coaching familiarity, but possibly overpay by sacrificing young depth.

Both teams still have plenty of draft capital to shape their futures, but New York left the trade table in a stronger overall position than Tennessee did — and that’s a noteworthy takeaway as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.