Former first-round DE swapped to the 49ers for Nick Bosa’s spot sparks an emotional uproar among Jets fans demanding, “Keep him!”.QQ

Santa Clara, CA – October 22, 2025 – In a developing story that’s shaking up the league just over a week before the November 4 trade deadline, the San Francisco 49ers are reportedly in advanced negotiations with the New York Jets to acquire former first-round pick defensive end Jermaine Johnson II in what insiders are calling a “major defensive reshuffle” ahead of Week 8.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal — expected to involve a conditional 2026 third-round pick (upgradable to a second if the 49ers reach the NFC Championship) plus EDGE depth piece Daniel Hardy — is “being finalized” and could be officially completed by day morning (Oct 23). Fowler described San Francisco as a “perfect trade fit” for Johnson, given their urgent need for a pass-rush replacement after Nick Bosa’s season-ending injury.

The report sent shockwaves through New York, with #KeepJermaine immediately trending #1 on X:

“Keep him! This is Aaron Glenn’s biggest mistake!”

The rumors broke amid the Jets’ disastrous 0–7 start, a stretch that has left the locker room fractured and management desperate to reset. Head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Joe Douglas have reportedly shifted to “sell mode,” fielding calls for multiple veterans. Johnson, once seen as the team’s future defensive cornerstone, now finds himself on the trading block as the franchise unravels.

After Sunday’s 6–13 loss to the Panthers (Oct 20), Johnson — 25 years old and in the final year of his rookie deal ($3.7M base 2025) — was benched behind Will McDonald IV. His 2025 stats (2 sacks, 15 tackles in 7 games) mark a steep drop from his 7.5-sack breakout campaign in 2024. Sources inside Florham Park say the front office views this as a “value preservation” move before his price drops further.

Meanwhile, in Santa Clara, the 49ers’ front office has been aggressively scouring the market for a Bosa replacement. Johnson — a 6’5″, 262-pound edge rusher from Florida State — is viewed internally as a “natural schematic fit” for DC Nick Sorensen’s 4-3 front, where he would immediately slot in opposite Javon Hargrave and Drake Jackson.

“This isn’t panic,” one 49ers source told The Athletic. “This is precision — we know what we need, and Jermaine checks every box Bosa did: motor, leverage, discipline.”

If completed, the move would give San Francisco a potential long-term All-Pro replacement for their sidelined star. GM John Lynch is said to be preparing an offer that includes a fifth-year option pickup in 2026 and possible incentives tied to playoff performance.

Jets fans, however, are in open revolt. X posts and forums exploded with outrage:

“Trading Jermaine? He’s our pass-rush future! Douglas is ruining the Jets!”

The hashtags #JetsSuck, #FireGlenn, and #SaveJermaine have trended nonstop since the news broke, with a petition to keep Johnson reportedly surpassing 15,000 signatures in 24 hours.

For Johnson, the reported move represents a chance at rebirth — from being buried in a failing 3-4 system on a winless team to becoming the centerpiece of the 49ers’ title-contending defense. Once known as a locker-room leader in New York, Johnson may soon wear red and gold, carrying the torch for a front line suddenly missing its brightest star.

Will the 49ers pull the trigger and turn Johnson into their next defensive cornerstone? Or will the Jets, in their desperation, trade away their only rising star before the storm truly hits?

Sources say the deal could be finalized as early as Wednesday — and if it does, the NFL landscape may shift overnight.