Third-Year Linebacker Earns Starting Job on Jets' Defense with Kwon Gone

Former college safety settles into important role with Gang Green

The New York Jets had a choice to make at the third linebacker spot this past offseason.

General manager Joe Douglas and Co. opted for an up-and-coming special teamer over a proven commodity to play alongside veteran backers C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. Choosing to not re-sign Kwon Alexander, who eventually landed a free-agent deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jets kept it in house with two recent draft picks competing for the gig throughout the summer. 

Jamien Sherwood, a 2021 fifth-round selection, seemed to lead the competition wire to wire while holding off a stiff challenge from sixth-round rookie Zaire Barnes.

After totaling only 25 defensive snaps in 2022, Sherwood occupies a first-team slot on Gang Green's depth chart heading into the Monday Night Football season opener against the Buffalo Bills. 

"He’s grown, he’s gained some weight, so he looks like a linebacker," said Jets' third-year head coach Robert Saleh, who presided over the NFL's fourth-ranked defense last season.

Sherwood, who weighed 212 pounds as a rookie in 2021, has bulked up to 234 pounds ahead of the 2023 campaign. In addition to looking like a linebacker, he now knows how to play like one. 

"Coming in as a safety, I didn't know anything. I didn't know where to line up," said Sherwood while addressing reporters last month. "These last three years, this one being the third, I just had time to sit back, actually watch film and understand what's going on in front of me."

The former Auburn defensive back actually earned four starts as a first-year pro, but his 2021 season was cut short by a torn Achilles in Week 7. Sherwood recovered in time to appear in all 17 games last year, but almost all of his action came on special teams.

"Sherwood, he’s grown a lot over the last couple of years," said Saleh. "Last year, coming off the Achilles his rookie year, just trying to get his feet underneath him, I think he’s taken a really big step."

Vying for a starting job this summer, Sherwood saw action in all four of the team's preseason games. He recorded at least one tackle in all four appearances, totaling 13 stops over the course of the exhibition schedule.

"He’s playing a lot more free, so he’s made a big jump," said Saleh.

LB Jamien Sherwood (44) / © Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Sherwood started and finished the preseason strong. The native Floridian forced a first-quarter fumble in the Hall of Fame Game on August 3. He closed out the summer schedule by making six tackles in a 32-24 win over the New York Giants on August 26.

The 23-year-old Sherwood credits the recent success to his new understanding of the linebacker position.

"I feel like I made a great transition just from the standpoint of not knowing anything to feeling like I know just about everything on the field," said Sherwood, who is one of three new starters on the Jets' defense this year.

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