Jermaine Johnson doesn’t expect to go anywhere despite swirling trade speculation surrounding the New York Jets edge rusher. Speaking Thursday, Johnson said he received clarity from the front office about his future with the franchise, and the message was reassuring enough to prompt a public declaration of his intentions.

Johnson is definitely wanted in New York, and he wants to stay. On Wednesday, Johnson posted “I’m not leaving’.” That’s about as clear a statement as a player can make on social media without actually writing a lengthy explanation.

Trade rumors swirl around struggling Jets

Several Jets players are mentioned in trade rumors, which isn’t uncommon for a struggling team. The Jets sit at 0-7, off to one of the worst starts in franchise history, making them the NFL’s only winless team. When organizations face that kind of catastrophic failure, everyone becomes trade bait in the eyes of media and opposing front offices looking for bargains.

Johnson, a first-round pick in 2022, is under contract through 2026. Despite missing the final 15 games last season with a torn Achilles, the team exercised his fifth-year option—a guaranteed $13.4 million. That financial commitment suggests the Jets view Johnson as a cornerstone piece worth keeping, even if their overall roster situation is a complete disaster.

Johnson’s draft classmates already got paid

The Jets’ two other 2022 first-round picks, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, already have received long-term extensions. That discrepancy might explain some of the trade speculation around Johnson, as teams could wonder if New York values him less than his draft classmates. But the fifth-year option exercise and this week’s clarity conversation suggest the Jets absolutely plan on keeping Johnson long-term.

Johnson, 26, is one of the Jets’ better defensive players despite the team’s struggles. He posted a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement, proving he can be a difference-maker when healthy. He missed three games this season with an ankle injury but helped spark the defense with his return two weeks ago. The Jets have allowed only 26 points over the last two games, showing the defense can still function even if the offense remains historically inept.

Front office clarity matters for team morale

Johnson receiving clarity from the front office is significant beyond just his individual situation. When a team is 0-7 and trade rumors swirl around multiple players, uncertainty can destroy what little cohesion remains in the locker room. Players wondering if they’ll be traded can’t focus fully on preparation and execution, creating a vicious cycle where performance suffers, which generates more trade speculation, which further damages performance.

The Jets front office telling Johnson he’s wanted and part of the future gives him peace of mind to focus on football rather than constantly checking his phone for trade notifications. That clarity also sends a message to the rest of the roster that the organization isn’t just blowing everything up and starting from scratch, even if the 0-7 record makes that seem like the rational move.

Johnson’s return sparked defensive improvement

The timing of Johnson’s return coinciding with improved defensive performance isn’t coincidental. Edge rushers who can generate pressure make everyone else’s job easier—cornerbacks get more time to cover, linebackers can be more aggressive, and opposing offenses can’t get comfortable. Johnson provides that pressure, and the Jets defense has responded accordingly over the last two games.

Whether Johnson and the Jets can turn their season around from 0-7 remains highly unlikely, but at least he knows he’ll be part of whatever rebuilding or retooling happens next. That security matters for a player who missed most of last season with a torn Achilles and is working to reestablish himself as an elite pass rusher. The last thing Johnson needed was trade uncertainty derailing his comeback.

The trade deadline will pass, the rumors will fade, and Johnson will still be a Jet. Sometimes clarity is all a player needs to lock in and focus on what he can control.