Jets re-sign kicker Greg Zuerlein to two year deal worth $8.4 million
The New York Jets re-signed a major piece to their offense the last two seasons and one of their most potent weapons. Their kicker. Greg Zuerlein has agreed to a two-year, $8.4 million contract to remain with the Jets, according to multiple reports. Zuerlein made $2.6 million last year, so this deal constitutes a decent […]
The New York Jets re-signed a major piece to their offense the last two seasons and one of their most potent weapons. Their kicker.
Greg Zuerlein has agreed to a two-year, $8.4 million contract to remain with the Jets, according to multiple reports. Zuerlein made $2.6 million last year, so this deal constitutes a decent pay rise for 36-year-old “Greg The Leg”.
Last year Zuerlein had a solid season, making 35 of his 38 field goal attempts, including going 5-for-6 from 50 yards and beyond.
While not a splashy move to kick off free agent week, it is nonetheless an important move for the Jets. Zuerlein has been as a good a kicker as any in a place that isn’t always easy to be a consistent kicker.
The Jets enter free agency with several holes to fill on their offense, including likely three starting offensive linemen, but the special teams is another area where the Jets needs were in trouble.
Entering this week, the Jets were poised to lose their starting kicker, Zuerlein, their starting punter, Thomas Morstead and their special teams captain, Justin Hardee, all of whom were set to test free agency.
With Zuerlein now locked up for two years, the Jets can get to work on re-signing Justin Hardee and Morstead. Morstead cannot sign a new deal until the start of the league year, which is Wednesday, because of a technicality in his contract as ESPN’s Rich Cimini noted earlier.
The Jets would like to have all three return, but have other pressing needs as free agency looms.
As for Legatron (Zuerlein), the money isn’t unreasonable. His $4.2 million average annual value puts his salary just outside the top ten among kickers, which seems like fair value. He is as good a kicker as the Jets have had in recent history and is paid fairly. Overall, a good move by Joe Douglas and co.
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