Report: Jets to cut Johnson before free agency

The New York Jets have informed cornerback Trumaine Johnson he'll be cut before the start of free agency, sources told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.

Free agency opens March 18, and Johnson's $11-million salary for 2020 becomes fully guaranteed two days later.

There are three seasons remaining on the veteran's five-year, $75-million contract. He'll carry a $12-million dead-money hit in 2020.

Johnson hasn't lived up to his enormous deal after a promising start to his career with the Los Angeles Rams. The 30-year-old has played in just 17 of 32 possible games for New York due to injuries, and he was benched in last year's season opener for poor play.

With Johnson heading for the open market, the Jets will need to find a new starting corner through either free agency or the draft.