FLORHAM PARK — When you think of the top linebackers on the New York Jets defense, Jamien Sherwood isn’t usually the first name that is thought of. With Pro Bowlers like CJ Mosley and Quincy Williams firmly supplanted at their positions, it’s hard for any linebacker to make an important impact on a top-five defense.
That’s what Sherwood is trying to do though in his third season as an NFL player and first as the penciled-in starter at the weakside linebacker position.
“I’m comfortable with my teammates, my brothers at linebacker. My thing is just eliminating any mistakes, any grey areas so I can go out there and play my fastest every opportunity I get,” Sherwood told AMNY following Thursday’s practice.
Sherwood’s speed has been a calling card for him since high school. The Jensen Beach native originally had a background at both safety and defensive end before being drafted in the fifth round by the Jets in 2021. Once in the NFL though, the Auburn product had to have a difficult conversation about his playing career.
“When I was coming out and was told I was being transitioned, it kind of hurt a little bit. I had been working for this my whole life, my dream was going to the NFL in the backend,” Sherwood explained. “But now I realize people are faster now so being in the box is good for me. Even in college when I rolled down in the box as a safety, I used to make more plays.”
The focus since then has been to prepare both his mind and body for the demands that the linebacker position required at the NFL level.
Luckily for Sherwood, his mind is one of his biggest assets heading into camp.
“I’m excited for what he (Sherwood) is going to bring this year. He’s one of the smartest players on our defense and on this team. He’s a hard worker, one of the hardest workers in the weight and classroom. I feel like he’s got a great chance to really show what he’s about,” CJ Mosley said of the 23-year-old to start camp.
Mosley has been a leader for Sherwood since he started his NFL journey. The young linebacker has played at almost every single position on the Jets defense and that level of versatility could be exactly what New York needs heading into next season.
Playing behind an All-Pro and Pro Bowl-level talent certainly helps build confidence as well as Sherwood has learned each position’s role on the defense.
“Being able to play multiple positions, that’s just my passion for the game…Being versatile in the league, that helps you keep a spot on the team. They don’t have to go out and look for someone else, they have someone who can do it all not,” Sherwood explained.
Sherwood’s versatility and intelligence have made him an integral part of the Jets’ defense as they prepare for one of their biggest seasons in franchise history. With Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, New York now is expected to reach heights they haven’t been to in over half a century.
That alone can put pressure on young players that are just beginning to blossom in the NFL. It also can allow certain players to really get their first taste of high expectations in the league.
Even with those expectations thrust upon the defense, Sherwood isn’t too concerned as the second week of Jets training camp comes to a close. He may be in a starting role for the first time in his career, but the only thing he is focused on throughout the next month is proving to the team who took a chance on him that they made the right decision.
“I’ll take on whatever role they throw at me. Whether it’s the MIKE, WILL, or SAM, or the chance to play safety, I’ll take it on 100%. I want to give back to the Jets and the coaches what they’ve given me and that’s just love and respect,” said the Florida native.
Jamien Sherwood’s NFL journey is just beginning. 2023 will be the first real chance for him to show he belongs on a starting defense over the course of the next few months. And while playing with All-Pros and Pro Bowl-caliber teammates can certainly be overwhelming at times, he’s just focused on making his own mark on New York’s vaunted core of linebackers.
“I don’t want to be like anybody else. I want to become a household name.”
