Jets sign defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson

Quinton Jefferson (Twitter)

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN on Thursday, the New York Jets have signed defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Jefferson is joining his fourth National Football League franchise. He has previously played five seasons with the Seattle Seahawks (2016 to 2019 and 2022), and one season each with the Buffalo Bills (2020) and Las Vegas Raiders (2021).

In 2022 with the Seahawks, Jefferson had 29 combined tackles (17 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles), 13 quarterback hits, six tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and two pass deflections. During 89 NFL regular season games, Jefferson has 158 combined tackles (83 solo tackles and 75 assisted tackles), 24 tackles for a loss, 64 quarterback hits, nine pass deflections, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries for 20 yards and 20.5 sacks.

The fact that the Jets announced an acquisition in the month of April did not come as a huge surprise. Many expected it would be to announce the signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers of Chico, California. 

Jefferson was one of two defensive tackles to make NFL headlines on Thursday. The other was Corey Peters of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who announced his retirement at the age of 34.

Jefferson meanwhile is 30 years of age. The product of the University of Maryland was selected in the fifth round, 147th overall by the Seahawks in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Jets are trying to put a competitive team together after not making the playoffs since 2010. The 13-year drought is the longest current drought among all professional teams in the four North American sports leagues. There is no doubt New York needs to address their quarterback position.

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