YES, IT’S TRU: JOHNSON TO GO
Jets tell cornerback he’ll be cut before free agency
The Jets’ busy offseason to-do list will include finding a true No. 1 cornerback. The Daily News has learned Gang Green informed Trumaine Johnson he will be cut before free agency. The veteran cornerback’s $11 million salary for 2020 becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the new league year (March
20). However, the
Jets have conveyed to the player he will be gone before that happens, according to a team source.
A new Collective Bargaining Agreement would give the Jets flexibility to spread Johnson’s $12 million cap hit over 2020 and 2021. Players have until midnight Saturday to vote on the new proposal. If ratified, the Jets have the option to designate Johnson as a post-June 1 cut to lessen the cap charge in 2020. If the new CBA proposal is rejected by players — a simple majority is required to adopt it — then the Jets would carry a $12 million dead money charge in 2020. (The option for a post-June 1 cut doesn’t exist in the final year of the CBA).
Johnson disappointed after signing a blockbuster five-year, $72.5 million deal two years ago. The veteran made $34 million in two seasons with the Jets after playing on the franchise tag for two consecutive years with the Rams. Johnson, 30, made an eye-opening $64.7 million over the past four seasons despite never having made the Pro Bowl in his eight-year career.
The Jets were cautiously optimistic last offseason that Johnson would get back on track with new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who got the best out of the cornerback when they were together with the Rams from 2014-16.
Johnson had career-highs in interceptions (seven) and passes defensed (17) in 2015.
“He understands me, I understand him,” Williams said last offseason. “It’s my job to help him be the best he can be. He and I had some really good moments together.”
However, they couldn’t replicate those moments last season. Johnson was benched after the season opener due to ineffectiveness only to regain his starting job a couple weeks later. The News reported in September that people on One Jets Drive questioned Johnson’s dedication and desire.
“Of course I love football,” Johnson told the News at the time. “I’ve been doing it all my life. I’m passionate about it. It’s my life. It’s not a job to me. I love what I do.”
Johnson had five interceptions and seven pass breakups in just 17 games with the Jets. He missed time in 2018 with a lingering quad injury before getting suspended for the season finale due to repeated tardiness and team violations. He suffered a hamstring injury in training camp last year before ultimately being placed on season-ending Injured Reserve with a pair of ankle injuries.
The Jets will free up $3 million by cutting Johnson.
Gregg Williams found some semblance of success on the back end with a patchwork group of corners, but the organization will need to find at least one new starting piece this offseason. The Jets have expressed some level of interest in the perceived top corners in free agency (Byron Jones and James Bradberry). The draft is also a viable option.
Regardless, Johnson’s time with the Jets is over.