Jets Star Jermaine Johnson Emerging As Trade Deadline Candidate
The New York Jets have lost six consecutive games to open the season and they're suddenly looking at a lost season rather than a competitive one. With that in mind, the Jets could turn into big time sellers at the trade deadline. This could send the Jets into a long rebuild, but at this point in time, it might be what's best for the team.
The Jets have a lot of trade candidates on their roster right now.
Allen Lazard has been mixed in trade rumors for months, but no deal has come to fruition. Lazard could still be traded, even after Garrett Wilson's crushing injury. There are multiple suitors who could be looking for wide receiver help this year.
Breece Hall is another top trade chip for the Jets. He's been gaining steam for weeks as the Jets have continued to lose. New York has top options behind Hall at running back when everybody is healthy. Given the fact that Hall is on an expiring contract, a deal could make a lot of sense.
But these aren't the only trade chips on the team.
Jermaine Johnson emerging as potential trade chip for Jets
Linebacker Jermaine Johnson has been emerging as a trade chip this season, but he was sidelined with an injury a few weeks ago. Johnson returned to the team in Week 6 and was dominant. His production helped lead the Jets defense against the Broncos.
Early in the week, SNY's Connor Hughes reported that Johnson's name had come up in several trade discussions this season, but the Jets would be looking for a lot in return for the star linebacker.
Johnson is a very talented linebacker with a lot of potential. He could be a perennial double digit sack player if he can get and stay healthy for a full 17-game season. He recently recorded his first sack since 2023 against the Broncos.
Teams like the Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles would make sense as trade suitors for Johnson. Each have a need for an edge rusher with a desire to win this season and beyond.
It's no guarantee the Jets trade h
Travis Kelce Puts NFL on Notice Amid Chiefs Development
- Travis Kelce helped lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions.
- Kelce and the Chiefs get a key player back for their next game.
- Kelce spoke fondly of his teammate and has put the NFL on notice.
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce kept his foot on the gas on Sunday night, turning in another strong performance in their 30-17 win over the Detroit Lions. The All-Pro tight end caught a team-high six passes from quarterback Patrick Mahomes, which resulted in a season-high 78 receiving yards for the 36-year-old.
This was a nice bounce-back win for the Chiefs following their deflating 31-28 loss to Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5. They are now 3-3 on the season and are in the hunt for the top spot in the AFC West, sitting behind the Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos, both with 4-2 records.
Mahomes, in particular, has been the centerpiece of Kansas City’s offense. The two-time AP MVP has registered 138-of-213 completed passes in his first six games of the season for 1,514 yards and 11 touchdowns. Kelce has been heating up of late, too, logging 139 receiving yards and one touchdown in his last two outings.
At the same time, however, there’s no denying that Mahomes would benefit significantly from having more weapons at his disposal. The good news for Mahomes and Co. is that help is on the way. This comes in the form of wide receiver Rashee Rice returning to the lineup for the Chiefs.
Rice, Kansas City’s second-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, has not played this season. The league suspended the former SMU Mustangs star for six games after being involved in a multi-vehicle car crash in Dallas in March 2024. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation after pleading guilty to two third-degree felony charges.
On Monday, the league officially lifted Rice’s suspension, which means that he will be available to play on Sunday as the Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders in a Week 7 matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.
Kelce spoke highly of his teammate during his postgame interview on Sunday. The 10-time Pro Bowler put the NFL on notice amid Rice’s imminent return.
"I'm just excited to get my guy Rashee back in the building," Kelce told Scott Van Pelt on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” following the Lions win. "What he means as a player, as a person and to this community, we miss having him out here on the field for the first couple of games this year. I'm excited to get him back out there.
"If we're putting up 30-balls without him out there, it's going to get rocking and rolling when he gets back out."
As Kelce pointed out, Rice’s return is only going to make the Chiefs’ attack even more dangerous. Monday’s win against the red-hot Lions could be a turning point for Kansas City amid its up-and-down start to the season, and Rice’s return to the lineup comes at an ideal time.
It is worth noting, however, that Rice is also recovering from a major injury. After a breakout rookie campaign that saw him finish sixth in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of his sophomore season. The Chiefs WR underwent surgery in October 2024 and has yet to play in an NFL game since.
