NFL free agency is almost set to begin, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began Wednesday, and free agent signings can then become official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the New York Jets and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Justin Fields, QB
The Jets are signing the 2021 No. 11 pick to a two-year, $40 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed.
What it means: The Jets have a new QB1. This doesn't solve their perpetual QB riddle, but it's the best they could've done under the circumstances. In a depressed quarterback market, they knew there were no instant cure-alls in the post-Aaron Rodgers world, but Fields makes sense because he's only 26 and still has some upside as opposed to the other options. The $30 million guarantee isn't a long-term commitment, which means they can give Fields a test spin for a year and see how it goes. If Fields flames out, they have Tyrod Taylor waiting in the wings as insurance. Basically, Fields is a bridge quarterback with a chance to be something more.
What's the risk: Fields isn't a polished passer from the pocket. Since 2021, his rookie year, he ranks 29th in Total QBR and 34th in Completion Percentage Over Expected. He showed some improvement at the start of last season with the Steelers, but he still got benched in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 start. What does that tell you? On the positive side, Fields' exceptional mobility will provide a dimension the Jets haven't had in a long, long time.
Jamien Sherwood, LB
The Jets agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal (including $30 million in guarantees) with Sherwood on Sunday.
What it means: The Jets might not have their quarterback on offense, but they secured one for their defense by retaining Sherwood, who parlayed his breakout 2024 season into a massive deal. It was a splashy first move by new general manager Darren Mougey, who made Sherwood a top-five off-ball linebacker in terms of average annual salary. He's a 25-year-old ascending player who oozes leadership, the kind of player new coach Aaron Glenn wants in the middle of his defense.
What's the risk: Sherwood (6-foot-2, 216 pounds) is undersized for a middle linebacker in Glenn's defense. He's a run-and-hit linebacker, not a downhill thumper. It may require some tweaks in the scheme. Sherwood, who posted a league-high 98 solo tackles last season, is at his best when he's going sideline to sideline. It will be interesting to see how the contract impacts former All-Pro linebacker Quincy Williams, who is due to make $6.5 million in the final year of his three-year, $18 million contract. He could seek an extension. This also casts further doubt on C.J. Mosley's future, who got Wally Pipp'd -- meaning he lost his starting spot while injured -- by Sherwood and likely will be a cap casualty.
Tyler Johnson, WR
The Jets agreed to a deal with the former Rams receiver.
What it means: The Jets finally addressed the need at wide receiver, adding a 6-1 target with good hands (only three career drops), average speed and the ability to win contested balls. Ideally, Johnson is best suited for a WR4 or WR5 role. He got some unexpected playing time last season (26 catches, 291 yards) when Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua battled injuries last season, but he was a non-factor down the stretch. Johnson, Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard are currently the most experienced receivers on the roster.
What's the risk: Johnson hasn't played a lot of special teams in his career, which began in 2020 as a fifth-round pick of the Buccaneers. It means he probably has to win a roster spot based on his receiving value alone, and that could be tough for a player who his spent his entire career on the margin. Right now, the Jets are perilously thin at receiver, so the move makes sense. But if we're talking in August about Johnson having a key role on offense ... well, then the Jets failed to revamp their receiving corps.
Kris Boyd, CB
The Jets agreed to a deal with the Texans' former special teams ace.
What it means: Boyd, 28, projects as the Jets' new Justin Hardee -- a cornerback who plays almost exclusively on special teams. If he performs as well as Hardee did from 2021 to 2023, this will be a home-run signing for the Jets. Like Hardee, Boyd is a gunner on the punt-coverage team, and he's fast -- really fast. He hit 22.32 mph last season on a punt, per GPS tracking -- one of the fastest speeds in the league on special teams.
What's the risk: Boyd is the player who shoved his coach in the playoffs. Surely, you remember it. Facing the Chiefs, he forced a fumble on a long opening kickoff return and thought the Texans had recovered. (They didn't.) He took off his helmet to celebrate, drew an unsportsmanlike penalty and pushed special teams coach Frank Ross when confronted about the penalty. Boyd chalked it up to being overly excited. Evidently, the Jets aren't holding it against him.
Stone Smartt, TE
The Jets are bringing in Smart on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Jets need bodies at tight end. The only veteran under contract is Jeremy Ruckert, who is entering his fourth season and still hasn't scored a touchdown. This remains a big need and likely will be addressed in the draft, perhaps in the first round. (Tyler Warren of Penn State?) Smartt, 26, is a developmental player with 31 career receptions for 380 yards and one touchdown.
What's the risk: Smartt became a Chargers fan favorite last season when he caught 13 passes in a four-game stretch, but it wasn't enough to convince the team to tender him as a restricted free agent. He's an interesting project because he didn't play tight end until his senior year at Old Dominion. Prior to that, he was a quarterback. He has size (6-foot-4, 226 pounds) and speed (topped 20 mph last season, per Next Gen Stats) to be a receiving tight end, but he's still developing as a blocker.
Byron Cowart, DT
The Jets are bringing in the former Bears defensive lineman on a one-year deal worth $1.4 million, including a $167,500 signing bonus.
What it means: With Javon Kinlaw (Commanders) and Solomon Thomas (Cowboys) moving on, the Jets needed a defensive tackle in the worst way. Enter, Cowart (6-3, 300 pounds), the quintessential NFL journeyman with 21 starts over four seasons. Cowart, Quinnen Williams and Phidarian Mathis are the only experienced interior linemen on the roster. So, yes, the Jets will continue to add.
What's the risk: Cowart, 28, will be reunited with defensive line coach Eric Washington, who coached him last season as the Bears' defensive coordinator. So the Jets know exactly what they're getting -- a run stuffer who actually posted decent metrics in Chicago. He made 22 run stops in 324 snaps -- an above-average run-stop rate of 6.8%. He figures to be a rotational piece and, presumably, the price was relatively modest.
Jay Tufele, DT
For the second time Thursday, the Jets are bringing in another defensive lineman for depth.
What it means: Another widebody for the middle of the defense. Tufele (6-3, 305 pounds) was a depth player last season for the Bengals, playing a career-high 243 snaps on defense. He's strictly a run plugger; he doesn't bring much to the pass rush (only 0.5 career sacks). He was a fourth-round pick by the Jaguars in 2021.
What's the risk: Another Mougey special from the discount aisle. The strategy is clear: Attack each need with quantity over quality, spreading around the money instead of investing heavily in any one player.
Derrick Nnadi, DT
The Jets agreed to a deal with the former Chief.
What it means: Nnadi becomes the third defensive tackle to sign, as the Jets attempt to rebuild the position around Quinnen Williams. Nnadi, 28, like the other additions, is past his best days. The Jets' hope is that he can be a rotational player, helping to replace Javon Kinlaw and Solomon Thomas, both free-agent departures.
What's the risk: Nnadi, who won three Super Bowl rings with the Chiefs, brings a winning pedigree into the locker room -- never a bad thing. Thing is, his overall play really fell off last season. He lost his starting job, which belonged to him for six years. He played only 215 snaps, made just 11 tackles and recorded eight stops (tackles for loss or no gain) -- a 3.7% run-stop rate. That ranked 121st out of 141 defensive tackles (min: 200 snaps), per Next Gen Stats. He's strictly a first- and second-down player.
Jamin Davis, LB
The Jets are bringing back Davis after one year with the team.
What it means: This is a depth signing by the Jets, who picked up Davis on waivers from the Vikings late last season. People tend to forget, but Davis was the 19th overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Commanders. Of course, he didn't do many memorable things in Washington, which is why they gave up on him. But one member of the Commanders' staff, Chris Harris, is now the Jets' passing game coordinator. Connections matter.
What's the risk: Davis is only 26, with physical traits that were good enough to get him drafted in the first round four years ago. So why not take a chance? Only two linebacker spots are locked up -- Sherwood and Quincy Williams. After them, it's a competitive scramble. Maybe Davis can play his way into a roster spot.
Kene Nwangwu, RB
Nwangwu signed a one-year contract worth up to $2.5 million.
What it means: Nwangwu was the Jets' best kickoff returner, as he proved with one electric play -- a 99-yard touchdown against the Seahawks on Dec. 1. It was the fourth kickoff-return TD of his career. So, yes, it was a smart move to bring him back on a modest contract.
What's the risk: As long as they don't forget about him, which happened last year, there's no risk. Despite a proven track record, Nwangwu languished on the practice squad until he got he shot on Dec. 1 -- and he responded with one of the best plays of the year. A week later, he broke his hand and that was the end of his season. That one memorable return, however, earned him a new contract.
Josh Myers, C
The Jets are signing the the former Green Bay Packers offensive lineman on a fully-guaranteed, one-year deal worth $2 million.
What it means: Ostensibly, Myers will be Joe Tippmann's backup at center -- the replacement for Wes Schweitzer (free agent). The relatively modest size of Myers' contract suggests he's not projected as an immediate starter, something he did his entire career with the Packers (56 starts). But you never know. Tippmann also can play guard. What if they move Tippmann to right guard and slide Alijah Vera-Tucker to the vacant right-tackle position? Vera-Tucker, one of the most versatile linemen in the league, has played right tackle. Just saying.
What's the risk: There is none. The Jets are getting a starting center, still only 26, for backup money. He didn't grade out particularly well last season, finishing 20th out of 33 centers in pass-block win rate, but Myers is a proven pro, known for his toughness. He once played half a season with a torn pectoral muscle. If he starts at center, allowing the Jets to shuffle the line to get the best five on the field ... well, that's a cherry on top.
Isaiah Oliver, S
The Jets agreed to bring the safety back.
What it means: Oliver was the Swiss Army knife of the secondary last season. He played every position -- corner, nickel, dime and safety. These kinds of players are invaluable, which is why he was identified by the new staff as one of the few players it wanted to retain. Oliver, 28, played 578 defensive snaps in 2024.
What's the risk: The sense is that it's a one-year contract, which means there wouldn't be much financial risk. Oliver is as solid as they come -- a durable, intelligent player who's willing to play anywhere for the good of the team.
Chukwuma Okorafor, OT
The Jets are signing the the former New England Patriots offensive lineman.
What it means: Once a longtime starter for the Steelers, Okorafor projects as a backup right tackle for the Jets. He's not even guaranteed a roster spot. He's only 27 years old, with 60 career starts, so it's worth a flyer. Glenn is all about creating competition.
What's the risk: Okorafor's time with the Patriots last season was brief and it ended ignominiously. He was the opening-day starter at left tackle -- not his natural position -- and was benched after 12 plays. Then he benched himself, essentially walking away from the team. A possible red flag? He was placed on the reserve/left squad list. The Patriots released him last month, so he was a street free agent.
Brandon Stephens, CB
The Jets are bringing in the former Ravens DB on a three-year, $36 million deal, including $23 million guaranteed.
What it means: With D.J. Reed leaving for the Detroit Lions (three years, $48 million), the Jets needed to find a CB2 to play opposite Sauce Gardner, and they didn't want to break the bank. That led them to Stephens, 27, who has nice size (6-1) and plenty of experience (48 starts) on a good defense. This means the Jets are looking at rolling with Gardner, Stephens and Michael Carter II as their top three corners, a position near and dear to Glenn, a former corner himself. Many predicted a Glenn-Carlton Davis III reunion, but the Jets backed off because of the price (three years, $60 million with the New England Patriots).
What's the risk: Stephens is coming off a down year. He allowed 66 receptions for 906 yards and four touchdowns last season, all career worsts. Part of that is because opponents picked on him instead of his talented teammates, Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, but it's always a bit concerning when a player struggles in a contract year. The high volume of targets probably will continue, considering he's playing opposite Gardner. The Jets better hope last season was an outlier.
Andre Cisco, S
The Jets and Cisco agreed to a one-year deal worth $10 million.
What it means: Cisco fills a huge need at safety, the weakest position on the defense. He can be a free safety, which is important because Aaron Glenn likes to play a lot of Cover 1. Look at how much All-Pro Kerby Joseph meant to Glenn's defense in Detroit. Cisco isn't on that level, but he does have ball skills -- seven interceptions and 15 passes defensed in 2022 and 2023. The Jets' safeties were inadequate in 2024 -- only four interceptions. Cisco, a former third-round pick, turns 25 on March 23.
What's the risk: The short-term deal mitigates the relatively large salary. Cisco had some blown coverages last season and lost his starting job for a couple of games in December. Maybe he lost his focus; it was a tough situation, as the Jacksonville Jaguars fielded a historically bad defense. He created waves when, after an early-season loss, he accused some teammates of quitting. Glenn has an experienced coaching staff, and they believe they can get the best out of Cisco. Actually, his coverage metrics weren't that bad. His passer rating as the nearest defender (79.2) ranked 18th out of 70 safeties (minimum: 250 coverage snaps), per Next Gen Stats.
Rashad Weaver, DE
The Jets are bringing in Weaver on a one-year deal.
What it means: This is a depth piece. Weaver (6-4, 259 pounds) joins an edge-rushing group led by Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson, who is returning from Achilles surgery. Weaver, a fourth-round pick of the Titans in 2021, doesn't have much of a track record -- 5.5 sacks (all in 2022) in 36 career games -- but he has the size and speed that is coveted by Glenn.
What's the risk: This is a low-risk reclamation project. Weaver flashed pass-rushing potential in 2022 under Mike Vrabel, but he had a down year in 2023 and was jettisoned by the Titans' new coaching staff last August. The Jets have some insider knowledge, as passing game coordinator Chris Harris was on the Titans' staff in 2023-2024.
Austin McNamara, P
McNamara and the Jets agreed to a deal that will allow him to compete for a spot.
What it means: McNamara, 24, has never has punted in an NFL game -- he was on the Bengals' training-camp roster last summer -- so he's not going to be handed Thomas Morstead's job. However, Morstead, 39, slipped a little last season statistically. So perhaps McNamara will provide competition in training camp.
What's the risk: There are a lot of unemployed punters out there, so the Jets obviously see something in McNamara. He had a big leg at Texas Tech, averaging 46 yards per punt over five seasons -- a school and Big 12 record.