Jets' Jermaine Johnson Reportedly Pursued By Bears, 49ers Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline

New York Jets pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II reportedly drew interest from multiple teams prior to Tuesday's trade deadline.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers both tried to trade for Johnson.

Per Schultz, the Jets wanted a second-round pick in negotiations so the Bears ended up trading for Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka instead.

The Browns only gave up a 2026 sixth-round pick in the swap with Cleveland, receiving Tryon-Shoyinka and a 2026 seventh-rounder in return.

As for Johnson, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Saturday that the Philadelphia Eagles also showed interest in him on the trade market.

New York appeared to hold Johnson in high regard throughout the weeks leading up to Tuesday's deadline, with SNY's Connor Hughes reporting Oct. 13 that it would take "a lot" for the team to move on from him.

San Francisco was an intriguing possible destination for Johnson, as it would've allowed him to reunite with former Jets head coach and current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.

Instead, he's staying put.

New York selected Johnson with a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft, operating in a rotational role throughout his rookie season before blossoming as a starter in 2023. That year, he amassed 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks while earning Pro Bowl honors.

Johnson's 2024 campaign came to an end after just two games due to a torn Achilles, although he's return to appear in five contests this season.

The 26-year-old has racked up 19 tackles, two quarterback hits, one sack and one pass defended in 2025.

With New York sitting at just 1-7 on the season, it chose to part ways with several key contributors on defense ahead of the deadline. The Jets traded two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Sauce Gardner to the Indianapolis Colts before sending three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys in a separate deal.