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The Jets have informed Trumaine Johnson that they plan to release him when free agency begins, according to The Daily News’ Manish Mehta and multiple other reports.
This, of course, comes as no surprise. Johnson disappointed under two coaching staffs in New York, so this news was hardly unexpected. At no point did Johnson live up to the five-year, $72.5 million deal that then-general manager Mike Maccagnan signed him to in 2018.
While the Jets informed Johnson that he will be released, the move is not yet official. New York will wait for the official outcome of the CBA vote before making Johnson a cap casualty. By cutting Johnson, the Jets will save $3 million, but the remaining cap hit depends on the outcome of the CBA vote.
If a new CBA is approved for the 2020 league year, the Jets can designate Johnson as a June 1 cut and spread his cap hit over two years. Without a new CBA, the Jets would be forced to absorb the entire hit of $12 million.
Either way, it was time for Johnson to go. In addition to creating distractions off the field, the corner rarely impressed on it. In 17 games with the Jets, Johnson had five interceptions. He made upwards of $34 million in two seasons and was benched twice in the process.