Johnson was one of three players drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Florida State star has totaled 10 sacks in his first three seasons, although it’s worth noting he lost virtually all of his 2024 season (15 games) when he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 2. Johnson has already said he would be ready for team OTAs and will have much to prove in 2025 beyond showing he is fully recovered from his injury. He’ll be learning a new defense under head coach Aaron Glenn and will need to attempt to build on the 7.5 sacks he posted in 2023 as a full-time starter.

Johnson went down with a torn Achilles in Week 2, ending his season. The former first-round pick found his footing in 2023 with 7.5 sacks, 11 TFLs, and a pick-six. Jets fans were hoping for him to take the next step in his third season, but the Achilles injury put an end to that. The Jets now have to decide whether or not to pick up Johnson’s fifth-year option. If they opt against it, Johnson will faces a contract year before hitting the open market next offseason.

Johnson’s year is over. The 2022 first-round pick tore the Achilles during Week 2 against the Titans. Johnson finished with 7.5 sacks in 2024 during his second season, and was expected to be a big part of their pass rush. That won’t happen now, and New York may need to look externally with Haason Riddick unlikely to report to the Jets in the foreseeable future.

Johnson confirmed the diagnosis on his X — formerly known as Twitter — page. The injury occured in the third quarter when he collided with Will Levis, and he was carted off the field. Johnson will likely miss the rest of the 2024 season, and it’s a big loss for a team that doesn’t know when — or if — Haason Reddick will return to the club.