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New York Jets: Signing of Trumaine Johnson sign of things to come

By Michael Pallas

ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams nearly intercepts a ball intended for Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Trumaine Johnson #22 of the Los Angeles Rams nearly intercepts a ball intended for Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets have agreed to a deal with former Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, and it’s a sign of how the Jets want to build this team.

In 2013 and 2014, current New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles was the defensive coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. In those two seasons, they were fifth and seventh in the league, respectively, in interceptions. They also returned seven interceptions for touchdowns in those two seasons combined. The Cardinals blitzed a lot, and Bowles wants to bring that to the New York Jets.

The addition of Trumaine Johnson can bring that to the Jets. In his first six seasons with the Rams, he has gotten his hands on 85 balls, with 67 pass deflections and — the key number — 18 interceptions. He has returned three of those interceptions for touchdowns.

This should be just the beginning for the Jets defense, though. They need to add another cornerback and an edge rusher to provide them with a pass rush presence they lacked in 2017. The Jets want to be more aggressive in their pass rush than they were, and having shutdown cornerbacks on the outside will allow them to do that.

They will need to draft another corner to pair with Johnson. The Jets will also need to draft a guy for the edge on the second level to get that pass rush presence they need.

There are two ways to win in the NFL. Either you get the franchise quarterback, or you build a great defense to stop the other team’s quarterback. The Jets and Todd Bowles appear to be doing the latter.

The Jets want to win the sack and turnover battle. The way to do that in their 3-4 defense is to have good pass rush outside linebackers who can set the edge, and with shutdown corners who can play man-to-man.

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They have one of their shutdown corners. They need an edge rush presence on the outside of their second level now. Trumaine Johnson is just the beginning. The Jets are trying to build a juggernaut defense, and they’re on their way. It’s just a matter of time.

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