Jets general manager Darren Mougey said prior to the 2025 NFL Draft that the Jets anticipated picking up the fifth-year options for 2022 first-round picksSauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, andJermaine Johnson, and on Wednesday afternoon the club did exactly that.
All three players are now under contract through the 2026 season, with long-term extensions still a possibility.
Gardner, despite a down 2024 season compared to his own standards, has already established himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2022 and 2023.
Wilson, despite inconsistent play at the quarterback position, has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all three of his seasons in New York.
Both Wilson and Gardner won their respective Rookie of the Year awards in 2022.
Johnson, the No. 26 pick in the 2022 draft, posted on social media that he is “Officially here for Year 5!”
“Just want to take a little time to thank the Jets organization, Darren Mougey, Aaron Glenn and Woody Johnson for their belief in me and who I am on and off the field,” Johnson wrote. “Though I know it sounds corny, but it couldn’t be more true, I’ve barely scratched the surface. As always, yall will get everything I got. Go Jets”
After a somewhat disappointing rookie season — in which he tallied only 2.5 sacks in 14 games, all off the bench — Johnson had a breakout second season in New York, recording 7.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 16 quarterback hits across 17 starts. He also earned his first career Pro Bowl selection.
Unfortunately for the Florida State product, Johnson’s 2024 season ended just two games into the regular season, as a torn Achilles kept him off the field.
The Jets, like all NFL teams, had until the end of Wednesday to decide on exercising the fifth-year option for first-round players from the 2022 draft.
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