Jets sign a veteran QB to backup Rodgers and multiple others overnight
Jets fans were in a panic all day watching player after player agree to contracts while the Jets sat back and watched. Jets fans were apoplectic while the watched players they had on their dream board sign elsewhere and the Jets stood pat. Starting around 11p.m. Eastern, Joe Douglas struck quietly and effiecently. The Jets […]
Jets fans were in a panic all day watching player after player agree to contracts while the Jets sat back and watched. Jets fans were apoplectic while the watched players they had on their dream board sign elsewhere and the Jets stood pat.
Starting around 11p.m. Eastern, Joe Douglas struck quietly and effiecently.
The Jets agreed to terms with veteran QB Tyrod Taylor, guard John Simpson, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.
Rodgers’ New Backup
Tyrod Taylor and the Jets agreed to a two year deal worth $18million to back up Aaron Rodgers coming off his Achilles injury late on Monday night.
This will be the seventh team for Tyrod Taylor, who was with the New York Giants last season. Taylor started five games for the Giants last season, but went down with an injury of his own and was replaced by fan favorite Tommy DeVito.
The soon to be 35-year-old Taylor was once a Pro Bowler with the Buffalo Bills and he offers a resume with 58 career starts, 12,135 passing yards, 65 touchdown passes to 29 interceptions.
Given that Gardner Minshew agreed early on Monday to a two-year deal with Las Vegas Raiders for $25 million, this was likely the best option available to Joe Douglas and co to fulfill their declaration of getting a veteran QB to back up Rodgers and prevent the tailspin from last year when the Jets had to turn back to Zach Wilson four plays into the season.
Protection for Rodgers
The team agreed to a two-year contract with former Baltimore Ravens guard John Simpson for a reported deal that is worth up to $18 million.
Simpson started every game at left guard for the Ravens last year after joining the team in 2022. He was originally drafted by the Raiders in the first round in 2020 and spent his first three seasons in Las Vegas.
It’s safe to say the Jets needed to get someone along the offensive line as player after player came off the board. New York went into free agency with three starting spots open along the offensive line of a team that believes they are ready to win now.
Now, one of those spots is filled with the 26-year-old Simpson who will likely take the left guard spot where he played his entire career. He played 1,118 snaps for the Ravens last year, allowing just one sack. That’s the good.
The Bad? Simpson had 11 penalties, the second most among guards. PFF rated him 49th out of 79 guards. He is much more of a run blocker than a pass protector.
The Jets are obviously not done adding along the offensive line and it wouldn’t surprise me if they looked to add some competition for Simpson in the draft in the later rounds.
What About the Defense?
Most Jets fans could see the tea leaves when the San Francisco 49ers released Javon Kinlaw.
The 26-year-old Kinlaw reunites with Jets coach Robert Saleh, who was the defensive coordinator in San Francisco when the team drafted Kinlaw in the first round of the 2020 draft.
Kinlaw has started 28 games for the 49ers over four years, including six last season.
He has five career sacks, 3.5 in 2023. The Jets had a hole at defensive tackle with Quinton Jefferson, Al Woods and Solomon Thomas all scheduled to become free agents.
Kinlaw’s deal with the Jets is a one-year contract.
The Jets are not done adding to their team. They will likely still look for the right deals to add players along the offensive line, the defensive interior as well as number two wide receiver to go along with Garrett Wilson.
It wasn't the start to free agency that Jets fans wanted, but it was the one that Joe Douglas and co. had planned all along.
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 […]
