Jets DE Jermaine Johnson II not satisfied with Pro Bowl second season: 'I had a decent year, not to my standard for myself'

The story of the New York Jets' 2023 season largely revolved around untapped potential, with initial aspirations of a Super Bowl appearance giving way to an ultimately frustrating campaign.

Jets defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, speaking to NFL.com on Wednesday, expressed that even after the disappointment of last year's 7-10 finish, the team's goal remains the same as it was then: "Super Bowl. Do or don't."

And until that ultimate goal is reached, he and the defense, much less the team as a whole, will not be satiated.

"I mean, that's the goal every single game, is to pitch a shutout, zero points on the board. So regardless of what the offense was going through, we know as a unit on defense that we had a standard we had to uphold that we set for ourselves, and that's zero points on the board," Johnson said. "So I mean, we didn't get that done, and so until that's done, every single game, zero points on the board, we're not satisfied, and to be quite honest, we probably still won't be."

While the offense was hindered by the turbulence at quarterback after Aaron Rodgers' season-ending Achilles injury, the Jets defense managed to put together a second straight season of dominance, as the unit finished third in the league in yards allowed and had 48 sacks, limiting teams to 16 points or fewer in eight contests.

For his part, Johnson's second year in the league saw him go from 14 games with no starts in his rookie campaign to starting every contest in his sophomore season. The 2022 first-rounder was second on the team with 7.5 sacks, and added 55 tackles, 16 QB hits, a forced fumble and his first career interception -- which he returned for a 37-yard pick-six -- to earn his first Pro Bowl nod.

Even with his increased role and