Jermaine Johnson targets a Week 1 return for the Jets' 2024 opener vs. the Steelers, a game fueled by revenge as QBs Justin Fields & Aaron Rodgers face their ex-teams.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The first day of mandatory minicamp under head coach Aaron Glenn felt less like a typical June practice and more like a prequel to a blockbuster season opener. As linebacker Jermaine Johnson declared himself on track for a Week 1 return, the storylines for the Jets' clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers intensified, setting the stage for a showdown dripping with personal history, quarterback drama, and the sweet scent of revenge.
Anybody that knows him knows that that's going to be his in the back of his mind.
Even with months to go, the Jets' season opener against the Steelers is already the talk of the town. The game is set to feature the first-ever season-opening matchup between starting quarterbacks who swapped the teams they started for the previous year. Justin Fields, fresh off a new two-year, $40 million deal, will face the team he started six games for last season. On the other sideline, former Jet Aaron Rodgers, released in March, returns to face the franchise he left. As tight end Jeremy Ruckert noted, the revenge factor for Rodgers will be very real. 'Anybody that knows him knows that that's going to be his in the back of his mind,' Ruckert said, adding a layer of psychological warfare to an already spicy matchup.
Adding to the Week 1 intrigue is Jermaine Johnson's personal comeback story. The Pro Bowl linebacker, whose promising 2023 season was cut short by an Achilles injury in Week 2, told media he's on schedule to face the Steelers. In a fascinating twist, Johnson revealed that his opponent in that game, Aaron Rodgers, was instrumental in his early recovery, arranging private travel to a top surgeon in Los Angeles. Head coach Aaron Glenn backed up his player's optimism, stating confidently, 'He'll be ready for the season.' Johnson's return is critical for a defense that needs the disruptive force who racked up 7.5 sacks before his injury.
While the future drama builds, the present on-field work is already showing promise. After a brief rain delay, the first day of mandatory minicamp saw the new-look offense begin to click. Quarterback Justin Fields wasted no time building a rapport with star wideout Garrett Wilson, connecting with him early and often throughout the session. For fans eager to see the post-Rodgers era take shape, the immediate chemistry between the team's new QB1 and WR1 is the most encouraging sign yet.
The Fields-to-Wilson connection wasn't the only positive takeaway from Tuesday's practice. Official team highlights showcased the core talent that will define this season. Garrett Wilson, lockdown corner Sauce Gardner, and explosive running back Breece Hall all looked sharp and explosive in the clips. It's a clear signal that under coach Aaron Glenn, the team's foundational stars are locked in and setting the tone for what the Jets hope will be a major bounce-back season.
While it's only June, the battle lines for the 2025 season are already being drawn. With key players healing, new connections forming, and a season opener packed with more drama than a primetime soap opera, the energy in Florham Park is palpable. All eyes are now on how this team continues to gel through minicamp and training camp as they prepare for a Week 1 showdown that promises to be unforgettable.
