Wednesday 14 March 2018 10:14, UK
The New York Jets are set to make a splash on the first day of free agency after agreeing deals with five players on Tuesday.
The Jets are set to sign quarterbacks Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, cornerback Trumaine Johnson, running back Isaiah Crowell and inside linebacker Avery Williamson.
The contracts can't officially sign with the Jets until the free-agency period begins on Wednesday at 4pm ET.
McCown agreed on a one-year contract to keep him in New York, which will reportedly pay McCown $10million for the 2018 season.
Per a Newsday report, McCown was promised the team's starting job before re-signing.
McCown, 38, started 13 games in his first season with the Jets in 2017, posting career highs in passing yards (2,926) and touchdowns (18).
Later on Tuesday, the Jets agreed a deal with former Minnesota Vikings signal-caller Bridgewater, according to ESPN.
Bridgewater, 25, missed the entire 2016 season and all but one game in 2017 after suffering a torn ACL and dislocated knee during training camp in 2016.
The former first-round pick threw for 6,150 yards and 28 touchdowns in 30 games with the Vikings.
Bridgewater is just one of three Minnesota quarterbacks to change teams in less than 24 hours as Case Keenum will join the Denver Broncos and Sam Bradford will sign with the Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings agreed to sign Kirk Cousins earlier on Tuesday.
It is unclear if the Jets will also consider drafting a quarterback with the sixth overall pick next month.
Former Rams free-agent cornerback Johnson agreed to terms with the Jets on a deal that could be worth $15m per season.
ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the two sides closed on an agreement and NFL Network broke the news on the value of the deal.
Johnson was given the franchise designation in February 2016 and again in 2017 and played the past two seasons with Los Angeles on the one-year tender.
The 28-year-old was widely viewed as the top cornerback available in free agency and joins a well-stocked secondary with the Jets, who are coached by former NFL safety Todd Bowles.
The Jets drafted their current starting safeties, Marcus Maye and Jamal Adams, in the first two rounds of the 2017 draft.
Former undrafted free agent Crowell is expected to sign a three-year deal with the Jets.
He rushed for 3,118 yards and 21 touchdowns in four seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Crowell expressed frustration with the play calling last season when the Browns went 0-16.
The 25-year-old also had 96 receptions for 770 yards and one score during his NFL career. He caught a career-best 40 passes in 2016.
The Jets were looking to add a running back after the retirement of Matt Forte.
Williamson, a fifth-round pick in 2014, Williamson was considered the top free agent inside linebacker on the market.
The 26-year-old started 59 games for the Titans over four years and is known as a stout run-stuffer. He will team up with Darron Lee in the middle of Todd Bowles' defense.
