CB Trumaine Johnson to earn $34M in first two years of five-year, $72.5M deal with Jets
Jets running back C.J. Spiller is covered by Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 13, 2016. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Trumaine Johnson, one of the best cornerbacks on the free-agent market, officially signed his five-year, $72.5-million contract with the Jets on Friday.
“It’s exciting,” Johnson said through the Jets’ website. “I was speechless when I finally gave my agent the green light. It’s the Big Apple. New chapter, new beginnings, and I get to add to this already great defense.”
Johnson’s contract is front-loaded; he’ll total $34 million in the first two years. He’ll get a $20-million signing bonus and base salaries of $6 million this year and $8 million in 2019. He also will have base salaries of $11 million in 2020, $13 million in 2021 and $14.5 million in 2022.
Over the Cap, a website that reviews NFL contracts, said it’s the largest signing bonus and first-year payment for any cornerback in the NFL.
Johnson was franchised by the Rams the previous two seasons, so when he finally was able to test the free-agent market, he was excited to see what teams thought of him.
“It’s my first time going through this process,” he said. “It’s quite an experience. You lose sleep and your agent is calling you every five minutes. But it worked out and I’m happy to be a Jet.”
The Jets figure to have a strong secondary, led by Johnson and Morris Claiborne as the outside cornerbacks. Buster Skrine, who produced a good 2017, also returns as the slot corner. Claiborne signed a one-year, $7-million deal Thursday.
The Jets also brought back swing tackle Ben Ijalana on a one-year deal, a source said. He was cut last month in a move that saved the Jets $4.6 million. Defensive lineman Mike Pennel re-signed with the Jets and got a three-year deal, according to his agent, Andy Simms.
