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Jets Finally Add Veteran to Quarterback Room, Sign Josh Johnson

New York Jets signed veteran QB Josh Johnson to finally provide some experience to a young quarterback room behind rookie Zach Wilson during training camp

Max Goodman

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have finally added a veteran to their quarterback room.

New York signed 35-year-old signal-caller Josh Johnson, the team confirmed on Wednesday.

With rookie Zach Wilson and two other young quarterbacks—James Morgan and Mike White—on New York's roster, now the Jets have a well-traveled QB with plenty of experience in this league. 

Johnson has changed teams 17 times since he entered the league back in 2008, drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers out of the University of San Diego. His most recent NFL snap came in 2018 with Washington, taking the field in four games and throwing for 590 yards. 

The quarterback was actually a member of the Jets organization back in 2015, providing some depth for 10 days during the preseason. 

Head coach Robert Saleh, who spent time with Johnson in San Francisco last year, said New York had been eyeing the veteran for quite some time leading up to training camp. Once it made sense with their roster to find him a spot, the Jets pulled the trigger.

"He’s a tremendous pro, he’s got a tremendous amount of energy to him," Saleh said Wednesday. "Just really glad that we were able to get him in there. He’s a big plus, a big addition to our quarterback room."

With Johnson's experience with the 49ers, he's already familiar with New York's scheme and should be able to transition seamlessly under Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.

Saleh prefaced, however, that the addition of Johnson won't preclude New York's other signal-callers from getting their reps and continue to develop.

"James Morgan and Mike White, they’re getting their run, they’re getting their practice reps, they’re going to get the preseason games," Saleh explained. "Not to say Josh won’t, but he’s got to spend these next few weeks catching back up and learning the nuances of this scheme."

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Max Goodman
MAX GOODMAN

Max Goodman covers the New York Jets for Sports Illustrated and FanNation. He also covers the New York Yankees, publisher  of Sports Illustrated and FanNation's Yankees site, Inside The Pinstripes. Before starting out with SI, Goodman attended Northwestern University and the Medill School of Journalism. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Master’s Degree in Sports Media, graduating in 2019. While at school, Goodman gathered valuable experience as an anchor and reporter on NNN SportsNight and played on the club baseball team. Goodman previously interned at MLB.com as an associate reporter covering the Miami Marlins. He also interned with ESPN, working as an associate reporter on Mike Greenberg's Get Up. Goodman is from New York City. He grew up in Hell's Kitchen. Follow Goodman on Twitter @MaxTGoodman and connect with him via email by reaching out at maxgoodmansports@gmail.com.

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