The first round of the 2022 draft yielded a trio of impact players for the Jets. Cornerback Sauce Gardner and receiver Garrett Wilson have enjoyed strong starts to their careers, and extensions with one or both could be worked out as early as this offseason. 
Regardless of when a long-term pact is signed on each of those fronts, New York can be expected to exercise Gardner and Wilson’s respective fifth-year options covering the 2026 season. The team will also have to make the same decision as it pertains to edge rusher Jermaine Johnson. The Jets’ new regime has not stated its intention yet, but Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports it is likely Johnson’s option will indeed be picked up this spring (subscription required).
Johnson will be classified as a linebacker for the purposes of his fifth-year option, and he lands in the fourth tier of compensation based on his playing time to date. As a result, his 2026 salary will be $13.41MM if his option is exercised. New York will have until May 2 to decide on Johnson’s situation (and that of the team’s other 2022 Day 1 selections).
After handling rotational duties along the edge as a rookie, Johnson took on a full-time starting role in 2023. The Florida State product totaled 7.5 sacks, 25 pressures and a forced fumble while confirming his status as a key defensive figure over the short- and long-term future. Expectations were high for a strong follow-up campaign, but Johnson was limited to only a pair of games in 2024 due to an Achilles tear.
The injury could give new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn pause when contemplating the Johnson situation, but declining his option would leave the door open to a free agent departure next spring. The Jets traded away John Franklin-Myers at the draft last season, and Haason Reddick will no doubt be playing elsewhere in 2025 given the way his New York tenure played out. Johnson, 26, should thus be in line to again handle a key pass-rushing role once healthy and he could easily find himself in the team’s long-term plans.
2023 first-rounder Will McDonald took a major step forward in production this past campaign, notching 10.5 sacks. He will be counted on to remain an integral member of the Jets’ front seven, and the same will be true for Johnson provided his option is picked up. Just like Gardner and Wilson, of course, a multi-year extension can be agreed to with the latter at any time.