Solomon Thomas
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

What moves are the Jets making during the ever-important NFL free agency period?

Some would say the NFL offseason is better than the regular season.

They would be wrong. But the point is the months of March and April still cause football fans to keep their eyes peeled despite no teams actually hitting the field. The offseason gives life to bombshell reports along with the forming of storylines for the upcoming 17-game slate.

We start with free agency. It doesn’t officially commence until March 16, but prior to that, teams can look to re-sign some of their own players with expiring contracts. The “legal tampering period” additionally begins March 14 at noon ET.

What moves will Jets general manager Joe Douglas be making to (hopefully) improve for 2022?

March 28 — K Eddy Pineiro — Re-sign

The Jets are returning kicker Eddy Pineiro, who was a restricted free agent. It’s a one-year contract worth a max of $2.75 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

March 28 — DE Solomon Thomas — Sign

The Jets are bringing in Solomon Thomas, who was the No. 3 overall pick of the 49ers during the 2017 draft. The contract is a one-year deal.

Thomas was with Robert Saleh in San Francisco from 2017-20 and could provide the Jets with reliable pass-rushing depth behind Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers.

The 26-year-old recorded 3.5 sacks with the Raiders last year.

March 17 — EDGE Jacob Martin — Sign

The Jets bulk up the pass rush with the signing of edge rusher Jacob Martin to a three-year deal.

Martin recorded four sacks for Houston in 2021. He’ll team up with defensive ends Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers, who both earned new contracts last year.

March 16 — TE Tyler Conklin — Sign

The Jets further add to the tight end room with the signing of Tyler Conklin. This comes after New York agreed to a three-year deal with C.J. Uzomah.

Conklin will certainly be another passing-game weapon for Zach Wilson — the now-former Viking caught 61 balls for 593 yards and three touchdowns last year

March 16 — QB Mike White — Original-round tender

Mike Effing White is back!

The fan-favorite backup quarterback, who defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the injury-related absence of Zach Wilson, has earned an original-round tender. Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports it’s a $2.54 million tender.

March 16 — QB Joe Flacco — Re-sign

Joe Flacco is back with Gang Green!

The veteran quarterback and former Super Bowl MVP returns to the Jets on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. Flacco will, once again, serve as a backup to Zach Wilson.

March 16 — K Eddy Pineiro — Original-round tender

The Jets have tendered placekicker Eddy Pineiro for $2.433 million. Pineiro converted all eight of his field-goal attempts with the Jets last year and was also 9-for-10 on extra-point attempts (five total games).

March 16 — OL Dan Feeney — Re-sign

Dan Feeney is back in a Jets uniform. The offensive lineman appeared in 16 games last year with five starts.

March 15 — DL Nathan Shepherd — Re-sign

The Jets are bringing back Nathan Shepherd, who could see an increase in playing time due to the departure of Foley Fatukasi.

March 15 — S Jordan Whitehead — Sign

Another defensive back for the Jets. Jordan Whitehead will be headed to Florham Park after a four-year stint in Tampa Bay, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini.

Whitehead started 55 games for the Bucs from 2018-21 and is coming off a 73-tackle, two-interception campaign.

Whitehead is a starting option with Marcus Maye likely gone. Will Joe Douglas additionally draft Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton in the first round?

March 15 — CB D.J. Reed — Sign

The Jets intend to sign cornerback D.J. Reed to a three-year, $33 million contract. Reed started 22 games for the Seahawks over the last two seasons. He’s surely a starting option for the Jets given his talent, experience, and the financial investment the team is making in him.

New York needed to address the secondary this offseason after allowing 259.4 passing yards per game in 2021 (30th in the NFL).

March 14 — TE C.J. Uzomah — Sign

The Jets have a new starting tight end!

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports New York will be signing former Bengal C.J. Uzomah to a three-year, $24 million deal. Uzomah just recorded career highs in catches (49), yards (493), and touchdowns (five) with the Bengals this past season.

Uzomah started 61 games across seven seasons for Cincinnati — he’ll absolutely be the Jets’ top tight end in 2022.

Joe Douglas has now accomplished what was one of the Jets’ main goals for this offseason.

March 14 — RB Tevin Coleman — Re-sign

Douglas is bringing back Tevin Coleman, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Jets signed the veteran running back to a one-year deal last offseason.

Coleman rushed for 356 yards on 4.2 yards per carry in 11 games last year.

March 14 — WR/RS Braxton Berrios — Re-sign

In a phenomenal deal for the Jets, Douglas will be re-signing wide receiver/return specialist Braxton Berrios to a two-year, $12 million deal. That’s an average annual value of $6 million for Berrios, who was potentially seeking a contract in free agency that provided him around $9 million per year.

Berrios was a first-team All-Pro kick returner for New York last season, having returned 28 kicks for 852 yards (a league-leading 30.4 yards per return).

March 14 — G Laken Tomlinson — Sign

The Jets have agreed to terms with guard Laken Tomlinson on a three-year, $40 million contract. Tomlinson will certainly be a starter on New York’s offensive line alongside soon-to-be second-year guard Alijah Vera-Tucker.

A huge goal for the Jets this offseason was to improve the offensive line to assist in the crucial development of quarterback Zach Wilson.

March 13 — FB Nick Bawden — Re-sign

The Jets have decided to retain fullback Nick Bawden on a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Bawden played in nine games last year and was mainly a special teamer for Gang Green.

March 10 — S Lamarcus Joyner — Re-sign

The Jets signed safety Lamarcus Joyner to a one-year deal last year. Yet, the veteran lasted just 11 snaps before suffering a season-ending triceps tear in Week 1.

Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh must still see the value in Joyner though — the Jets have re-signed him to another one-year deal ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Joyner is a potential reserve option in the secondary but could find more playing time than expected if injuries occur to other players.

March 10 — S Will Parks — Re-sign

Will Parks is back with the Jets, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. He’s expected to provide depth in the defensive backfield.

March 9 — OL Conor McDermott — Re-sign

The Jets are bringing back reserve offensive lineman Conor McDermott on a one-year deal.

McDermott started in three games last year and appeared in a total of six. He will be back for his fourth season in a Jets uniform.

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Ryan Honey
Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.

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