The New York Jets announced today that they have agreed to terms with defensive end Jason Babin, most recently a former Tennessee Titan, Philadelphia Eagle, and Jacksonville Jaguar. Babin will get a fresh start with the Jets, whose training camp begins tomorrow, Thursday, July 24.
The Jets reportedly signed Babin to a two-year with a team option in the second year. The defensive end was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 19, just three months after the team signed him to a three-year incentive-laden $7.275 million deal with a $500,000 signing bonus. The Jaguars seemingly thought it was a better decision to let younger players - Andre Branch, Ryan Davis, and Chris Smith - compete for the position.
Babin joins DE Muhammad Wilkerson, DT Sheldon Richardson, OLB Quinton Coples, ILB David Harris, and others, as a part of a fairly physical and dominant front seven. The Jets could use Babin's pass-rushing abilities that amassed him 62.5 sacks and 269 tackles in 10 NFL seasons. His best year was in 2010 during his only season with the Tennessee Titans when he recorded 12.5 sacks and 58 tackles. He recorded 18 sacks the following year after signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, but was released in 2012 due to the team's salary cap issues.
The Jets have agreed to terms w/ LB Jason Babin & released CB Lowell Rose. G Willie Colon & LB Antwan Barnes (knees) placed on Active/PUP.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 23, 2014
Babin, a former first-round draft pick of the Houston Texans in 2004, will join a number of other first-round draft picks on the Jets' defense, including Muhammad Wilkerson (2011), Quinton Coples (2012), Sheldon Richardson (2013), CB Dee Milliner (2013), and S Calvin Pryor (2014). The 34-year-old will likely have a situational role in Rex Ryan's defense and his experience and success as a defensive lineman should allow him to be used as a defensive end or outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.
The Jets will arrive in Cortland, New York on Wednesday afternoon while they prepare to start training camp on Thursday. Rex Ryan and the Jets are looking to improve from last season's 8-8 record with their young team behind second year quarterback Geno Smith.
You can read more about Jason Babin joining the New York Jets in this NJ.com article.
