The New York Jets are releasing cornerback Trumaine Johnson, ending a disappointing two-year stay, per multiple reports.
Johnson was slated to be highly-touted help in the Jets’ secondary after they nabbed him in free agency with a five-year, $72.5 million contract.
It was initially deemed worth the big-time contract seeing as he was one of the better cornerbacks in the game. Over six years with the then-St. Louis Rams, he posted 18 interceptions, 67 passes defended, and 327 total tackles.
But the 30-year-old played just 17 games over two seasons, which was not nearly worth the $34 million he wound up coming away with during that span.
He was benched twice and dealt with ankle injuries that resulted in him spending most of the 2019 season on injured reserve.
In those 17 games, he posted five interceptions and seven passes defended.
Cutting Johnson opens up $3 million in cap space for the Jets, but they’ll have to eat $12 million in dead money.
It was an expected move regardless as general manager Joe Douglas made it clear this offseason that he will be looking for cornerback help to bolster the Jets’ secondary.
According to SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano, he has shown interest in two of the top cornerbacks available on the free-agent market in Byron Jones and James Bradberry.
While Jones only has two interceptions in five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he is one of the top shutdown corners in the game.
According to Pro Football Focus, Jones had the 11th-best coverage grade in the NFL while in single coverage.
It deterred quarterbacks from looking his way as they only targeted him 64 times in 2019.
Bradberry put up a career-high three interceptions last season with the Carolina Panthers while his 48 receptions allowed was tied for 23rd among all cornerbacks.
