The San Francisco 49ers explored a trade for New York Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson before the deadline, but ultimately couldn't strike a deal. According to Jordan Schultz, the 49ers were one of at least two teams pursuing Johnson, yet the sides couldn't agree on fair compensation for the veteran defender.
SNY's Connor Hughes previously reported that San Francisco was "flirting around" with the idea of adding Johnson to its defensive front. Later, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted that the Jets were seeking a second-round draft pick in exchange for the edge rusher, and Johnson would likely remain in New York.
The other team that was reportedly interested in trading for Johnson was the Chicago Bears. Instead, Chicago pivoted to acquiring Cleveland Browns defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in a swap of late-round draft picks.
A trade for Johnson would have reunited the player with his former head coach, Robert Saleh, not the defensive coordinator with the 49ers.
Sources: The #Bears and #49ers were among the teams that tried to trade for #Jets pass-rusher Jermaine Johnson II.
New York wanted a 2nd-round pick, so Chicago pivoted to Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, while San Francisco ultimately stayed put. A move to the 49ers would've reunited Johnson… https://t.co/L2Tl5t3Mcb pic.twitter.com/67z3E6gHM6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 5, 2025
As the trade deadline passed, the 49ers stood pat, with last week's addition of Keion White remaining their only in-season trade move. Despite enduring a string of injuries, San Francisco opted to hold onto its draft capital rather than make a move to bolster its roster.
The 49ers also signed defensive end Clelin Ferrell to the practice squad last week.
Johnson could have provided much-needed depth for the 49ers' defensive front, especially after losing Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams to season-ending ACL injuries. The team also placed Yetur Gross-Matos on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, while Bryce Huff has missed the last two games with a similar—but less severe—issue.
So far this season, Johnson has recorded 19 tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits, one sack, and one pass defensed in five starts with the Jets, according to Pro Football Reference.
Over his four NFL seasons, Johnson has totaled 107 tackles (16 for loss), 23 quarterback hits, 11 sacks, one safety, eight passes defensed, one interception, one touchdown, and one forced fumble across 38 career appearances (24 starts). His breakout year came in 2023, when he tallied a career-high 7.5 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
Johnson's 2024 season was cut short after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 2, but he made a full recovery and returned to action in Week 1 of this season.