Jets Release CB Trumaine Johnson

The New York Jets have released cornerback Trumaine Johnson.

Johnson was signed by former Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan to a five year, $72.5 million contract on March 16, 2018. For two years of work Johnson netted a cool $34 million in what turned out to be one of the worst free agent signings in Jets history. There was an $11 million injury guarantee in 2020 which would have become fully guaranteed if Johnson was on the Jets roster on the 3rd day of the 2020 league year, so releasing Johnson now was important.

Johnson performed poorly for the Jets when he was on the field, routinely getting beat by faster receivers. He also struggled to stay on the field. In 2018 he missed five games with a quadriceps strain and was a non-injury inactive for the season finale at New England. In 2019 Johnson was inactive for the game at Miami with injuries to both ankles and was placed on Injured Reserve the following week.

Despite generally poor play, Johnson did have some positive moments with the Jets. In his first game as a Jet, he had the first of five Jets interceptions in a season opening rout of the Detroit Lions. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in 2018.

His Jets totals end after two years with 17 games played, five interceptions, seven passes defended, one forced fumble, 62 tackles and countless times getting burned.