After it began on March 10, the first wave of NFL free agency came and went.
The Jets haven’t made massive splashes in free agency.
However, they have made a few signings that head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey hope will improve their roster overall. The Jets are trying to end a dreaded 14-year postseason drought, the longest in North American sports. In addition, the Jets haven’t registered a winning record since 2015.
After the last two seasons of attempting to build a team designed to win a Super Bowl with Aaron Rodgers, the Jets are retooling after having 27 free agents. The Jets have over $27 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap. With the lack of money remaining, the Jets will likely remain relatively quiet until the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26).
Let’s analyze some of the Jets’ key signings in free agency.
JAMIEN SHERWOOD, LB
Re-signing Sherwood, 25, kicked off free agency for the Jets. The two sides agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal on March 9, which includes $30 million guaranteed.
Now that the Jets released captain C.J. Mosley after five seasons, Sherwood will officially be the defensive play-caller moving forward for the Jets. After playing sparingly his first three seasons, Sherwood had a breakthrough 2024 season. He led the Jets with 158 tackles and also registered two sacks in 17 games, while Mosley missed 13 games due to injury (toe and neck).
With many questions about a Jets defense that finished in the top five defensively for the third consecutive season, Sherwood and fellow linebacker Quincy Williams should be two of the roster’s strengths.
JUSTIN FIELDS, QB
Fields is the most noteworthy transaction the Jets have made in free agency to date. He signed a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million in guarantees.
After releasing Rodgers, the Jets have found their QB1, at least for the 2025 season. Fields’ deal doesn’t preclude the team from drafting a quarterback in next month’s NFL Draft. However, Fields was the biggest quarterback whale the Jets could find this offseason.
At only 26 years old, Fields is young enough to potentially become a franchise quarterback. He never got the adequate support to succeed during his three seasons with the Bears. He played well during his six starts with the Steelers last season after finishing with a 4-2 record, but Fields was benched for Russell Wilson after he returned from a preseason calf injury.
Signing Fields is a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing. If he struggles, the Jets still have Tyrod Taylor on the roster. Also, they could release Fields next offseason and gain $10 million in cap space with a June 1 designation.
DERRICK NNADAI, DT
The Jets have signed three defensive tackles this offseason (Jay Tufele and Byron Cowart), but Nnadi is the most established of the bunch. Before agreeing to terms with the Jets, Nnadi, 28, played seven seasons with the Chiefs. He played in 115 career regular-season games for Kansas City, including 87 starts, and played in 15 postseason games.
Nnadi will provide veteran leadership and should become a rotational defensive player. The Jets have needed a run stuffer next to Quinnen Williams, and Nnadi could provide that in limited snaps.
ISAIAH OLIVER, S
Oliver played a variety of positions for the Jets last season, including corner, nickel, and safety. That’s likely why Glenn and the Jets’ new regime decided to bring him back on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. Having a Swiss Army knife in the secondary is never a bad thing.
In 17 games (seven starts), Oliver recorded 57 tackles and one sack.
CHUKWUMA OKORAFOR, OT
The Jets still need a starting right tackle after Morgan Moses signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Patriots. Okorafor likely isn’t the solution for the Jets at right tackle, but he will provide depth on the offensive line.
Okorafor has 60 career starts, but his lone season with the Patriots pretty much ended the same game it began. He started at left tackle, which was not his natural position, and was benched in New England’s season-opening victory against the Bengals after 12 snaps. He was placed on the exempt/left squad list in Week 2 and the Patriots released him in February.
BRANDON STEPHENS, CB
With D.J. Reed signing with the Lions, the Jets needed a CB2 opposite Sauce Gardner. That’s why they signed Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal, including $23 million guaranteed.
Stephens is coming off a subpar 2024 season. He allowed the fifth-most receptions (65) in the NFL last season, and opposing quarterbacks had a 107.4 passer rating when he was in coverage. Stephens also allowed the most targets (96) in the league and the second-most passing yards (806).
With Gardner on the other side, the Jets better hope last year was an outlier.
ANDRE CISCO, S
Cisco signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets. With the safety position another significant need this offseason, Cisco provides another low-risk move for the Jets.
In 63 games, Cisco has registered 229 tackles and eight interceptions. Cisco is a gambler, and that led to him getting beat in coverage while playing with the Jaguars. He was benched for two games last year before returning in Week 15 and 16.
TYLER JOHNSON, WR
The Jets have a significant need at wide receiver and hope Johnson can help. In 49 games, Johnson has 76 catches for 828 yards and four touchdowns in five NFL seasons, including the last two with the Rams.
Johnson doesn’t solve all of the Jets’ needs at receiver, and they could undoubtedly still select one in the NFL Draft. Along with Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, Johnson is a veteran who played a lot of football during his time in the league. He is probably a fourth receiver on most rosters but could 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 started 56 games and the Jets are getting an established center with backup money.
Myers will back up Joe Tippmann and provide depth on the offensive line. With Tippmann having experience at guard, the Jets could insert Myers at center should an injury occur with Alijah Vera-Tucker, who has missed 24 games the last three seasons.