Johnson, the rising star of the New York Jets, is making a name for himself in his sophomore season. With his unstoppable performance, he has been wreaking havoc on opposing defenses, leaving them scrambling to contain his raw talent.
In the last four games alone, Johnson has recorded an impressive 3 ½ sacks, delivered eight bone-crushing hits on quarterbacks, and applied relentless pressure with 23 quarterback pressures. His impact on the field is undeniable, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
When asked about his outstanding performance, Johnson humbly attributes it to his insatiable hunger for success. “I’m just hungry, hungry to see what I can do, to be quite honest, and to give my team the best version of myself,” Johnson said this week. “That’s been my mindset. Just go out there and play with tremendous effort and never let myself forget that they’ve got to stop me. I just go out there with that mindset.”
From the start of training camp, it was evident that Johnson had transformed into a different player compared to his rookie year. He displayed more power, comfort, and caused constant problems for the Jets' offensive line. Now, he's taking his dominance beyond the team's practice sessions and showcasing it against opponents.
The Jets coaching staff has introduced a new wrinkle with Johnson's role in recent games. No longer confined to lining up on the outside, Johnson now finds himself positioned in the middle of the offensive line, standing up and blitzing from a linebacker position on passing downs.
“It’s been awesome, honestly,” Johnson said of the new wrinkle. “It’s something I’m doing for the first time in my football career, rushing along the whole line. It’s really fun, to be honest. Obviously, the further in the line you go, the worse pass protectors they are or else they would all be tackles. In terms of passing downs and situations the coaches have put me in to get different rush opportunities, it’s been really fun. Clearly, it’s really effective. It helps the team at the end of the day. I’m having fun. The team’s having fun. It’s extremely fun and I’m excited about what the future holds for sure.”
In their recent game against the Chargers, Johnson displayed his versatility by moving all over the defensive line. At one point, he even lined up alongside Bryce Huff, causing a nightmare for the opposing offense's blocking scheme.
It appears that the Jets coaches are granting Johnson the freedom to move around at his discretion. When asked about this newfound liberty, Johnson remained tight-lipped. "I can't say too much about it," he coyly replied.
Notably, even when playing as a defensive end, Johnson stands up rather than utilizing the traditional three-point stance like his teammates. This unique approach makes him resemble a 3-4 linebacker charging off the edge, rather than a typical 4-3 defensive end.
“I just feel like personally I can jump the snap better,” Johnson said of standing up. “I can see the quarterback and the tackle and the O line, their mannerisms before the ball is actually about to snap. I just feel like I can get a better jump on the ball. On run downs, you can recognize the play that it is when you’re getting off the ball rather than when you are in a three-point stance. If you’ve got to step and get up and then diagnose. I like how fast I can diagnose. They’re giving me freedom to stand up or go down as I please. I think it’s been really good for me as well as the team.”
Johnson is an integral part of a formidable Jets defensive line that is wreaking havoc on opposing offenses throughout the season. Alongside Quinnen Williams, Bryce Huff, John Franklin-Myers, Quinton Jefferson, and Johnson, the Jets' defensive line is making life miserable for quarterbacks. If one player doesn't reach the quarterback, they create opportunities for their teammates.
“We really hunt as a pack,” Johnson said. “No one is selfish. We all communicate in terms of what we’re seeing. I’m going throw you an ‘oop’ here, I’m going to throw you an ‘oop’ there. This is what I’m seeing. This is what I think is good. We hunt as a pack. We communicate really well. We’re really getting the hang of rushing with each other.”
In conclusion, Johnson's exceptional performance has solidified his status as a force to be reckoned with in the NFL. Opposing offenses are struggling to contain his relentless pursuit of victory. As the Jets continue to soar, Johnson's impact on the field will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their success.
