After it started on March 10, the primary wave of NFL free company got here and went.
The Jets haven’t made large splashes in free company.
Nonetheless, they’ve made a couple of signings that head coach Aaron Glenn and normal supervisor Darren Mougey hope will enhance their roster general. The Jets try to finish a dreaded 14-year postseason drought, the longest in North American sports activities. As well as, the Jets haven’t registered a profitable report since 2015.
After the final two seasons of trying to construct a crew designed to win a Tremendous Bowl with Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are retooling after having 27 free brokers. The Jets have over $27 million in wage cap house, in keeping with Over the Cap. With the dearth of cash remaining, the Jets will probably stay comparatively quiet till the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26).
Let’s analyze a number of the Jets’ key signings in free company.
JAMIEN SHERWOOD, LB
Re-signing Sherwood, 25, kicked off free company for the Jets. The 2 sides agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal on March 9, which incorporates $30 million assured.
Now that the Jets launched captain C.J. Mosley after 5 seasons, Sherwood will formally be the defensive play-caller transferring ahead for the Jets. After taking part in sparingly his first three seasons, Sherwood had a breakthrough 2024 season. He led the Jets with 158 tackles and in addition registered two sacks in 17 video games, whereas Mosley missed 13 video games because of harm (toe and neck).
With many questions on a Jets protection that completed within the high 5 defensively for the third consecutive season, Sherwood and fellow linebacker Quincy Williams needs to be two of the roster’s strengths.
JUSTIN FIELDS, QB
Fields is essentially the most noteworthy transaction the Jets have made in free company so far. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract, together with $30 million in ensures.
After releasing Rodgers, the Jets have discovered their QB1, at the very least for the 2025 season. Fields’ deal doesn’t preclude the crew from drafting a quarterback in subsequent month’s NFL Draft. Nonetheless, Fields was the most important quarterback whale the Jets might discover this offseason.
At solely 26 years outdated, Fields is younger sufficient to probably grow to be a franchise quarterback. He by no means received the satisfactory help to succeed throughout his three seasons with the Bears. He performed nicely throughout his six begins with the Steelers final season after ending with a 4-2 report, however Fields was benched for Russell Wilson after he returned from a preseason calf harm.
Signing Fields is a low-risk, probably high-reward signing. If he struggles, the Jets nonetheless have Tyrod Taylor on the roster. Additionally, they might launch Fields subsequent offseason and achieve $10 million in cap house with a June 1 designation.
DERRICK NNADAI, DT
The Jets have signed three defensive tackles this offseason (Jay Tufele and Byron Cowart), however Nnadi is essentially the most established of the bunch. Earlier than agreeing to phrases with the Jets, Nnadi, 28, performed seven seasons with the Chiefs. He performed in 115 profession regular-season video games for Kansas Metropolis, together with 87 begins, and performed in 15 postseason video games.
Nnadi will present veteran management and will grow to be a rotational defensive participant. The Jets have wanted a run stuffer subsequent to Quinnen Williams, and Nnadi might present that in restricted snaps.
ISAIAH OLIVER, S
Oliver performed quite a lot of positions for the Jets final season, together with nook, nickel, and security. That’s probably why Glenn and the Jets’ new regime determined to deliver him again on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. Having a Swiss Military knife within the secondary is rarely a nasty factor.
In 17 video games (seven begins), Oliver recorded 57 tackles and one sack.
CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR, OT
The Jets nonetheless want a beginning proper sort out after Morgan Moses signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Patriots. Okorafor probably isn’t the answer for the Jets at proper sort out, however he’ll present depth on the offensive line.
Okorafor has 60 profession begins, however his lone season with the Patriots just about ended the identical recreation it started. He began at left sort out, which was not his pure place, and was benched in New England’s season-opening victory towards the Bengals after 12 snaps. He was positioned on the exempt/left squad listing in Week 2 and the Patriots launched him in February.
BRANDON STEPHENS, CB
With D.J. Reed signing with the Lions, the Jets wanted a CB2 reverse Sauce Gardner. That’s why they signed Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal, together with $23 million assured.
Stephens is coming off a subpar 2024 season. He allowed the fifth-most receptions (65) within the NFL final season, and opposing quarterbacks had a 107.4 passer score when he was in protection. Stephens additionally allowed essentially the most targets (96) within the league and the second-most passing yards (806).
With Gardner on the opposite facet, the Jets higher hope final 12 months was an outlier.
ANDRE CISCO, S
Cisco signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets. With the security place one other vital want this offseason, Cisco offers one other low-risk transfer for the Jets.
In 63 video games, Cisco has registered 229 tackles and eight interceptions. Cisco is a gambler, and that led to him getting beat in protection whereas taking part in with the Jaguars. He was benched for 2 video games final 12 months earlier than returning in Week 15 and 16.
TYLER JOHNSON, WR
The Jets have a major want at vast receiver and hope Johnson can assist. In 49 video games, Johnson has 76 catches for 828 yards and 4 touchdowns in 5 NFL seasons, together with the final two with the Rams.
Johnson doesn’t clear up all the Jets’ wants at receiver, they usually might undoubtedly nonetheless choose one within the NFL Draft. Together with Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, Johnson is a veteran who performed plenty of soccer throughout his time within the league. He’s in all probability a fourth receiver on most rosters however might enter the 2025 season third on the Jets’ depth chart.
JOSH MYERS, C
The Jets signed Myers to a one-year, $2 million contract, which is a steal. He has began 56 video games and the Jets are getting a longtime middle with backup cash.
Myers will again up Joe Tippmann and supply depth on the offensive line. With Tippmann having expertise at guard, the Jets might insert Myers at middle ought to an harm happen with Alijah Vera-Tucker, who has missed 24 video games the final three seasons.
