Jermaine Johnson Explains Viral Post, Discussed Trade Rumors with Jets’ Front Office

New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson told ESPN’s Rich Cimini he posted a Wolf of Wall Street gif subtitled “I’m not leavin'” after speaking with the front office about his future with the franchise.

“I’m definitely wanted here and I want to stay here. That’s been understood. Hence, the tweet,” Johnson told Cimini.

Johnson added that there had been “clarity and communication” with the Jets front office and that “it’s all good,” per Cimini.

Johnson’s post came after SNY’s Connor Hughes reported the linebacker’s name had “come up for several teams in need of edge help” ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline.

The post also came the same day ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Jets were “not desperate to trade Johnson,” but that he felt the franchise “would be more willing to part with Johnson than Will McDonald IV if it made any move at the position.”

Both Johnson and McDonald are former first-round picks who were drafted by the Jets in 2022 and 2023, respectively.

After posting 7.5 sacks alongside 16 pressures and earning a Pro Bowl nod during his sophomore season in 2023, Johnson suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in Week 2 of the 2024 season.

Johnson missed another three games so far in 2025 due to an ankle injury, but has recorded a quarterback hit in consecutive contests since returning in Week 6.

The 26-year-old is under contract through 2026 following the Jets’ decision to exercise his fifth-year option in April.

His name has still come up as a potential trade target as the Jets head into the deadline as the most obvious seller in the NFL. The league’s only remaining winless team fell to 0-7 last Sunday with a loss to the visiting Carolina Panthers.

Given that the Jets are eyeing a high pick in the 2026 draft, and that team owner Woody Johnson has publicly expressed his discontentment with Justin Fields, there’s a chance New York will look to take a step forward by drafting a quarterback next spring.

If that is the case, the Jets could decide to hold onto homegrown players on affordable rookie contracts like McDonald and Johnson in order to help the franchise rebuild in 2026.

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