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Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In an effort to secure a new backup for Aaron Rodgers and strengthen their offensive line, the New York Jets on Monday night announced the signing of former New York Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor and former Baltimore Ravens quarterback. Terms have been agreed to with guard John Simpson, a source confirmed to ESPN.
In another late-night move, the Jets signed former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle and 2020 first-round pick Javon Kinlaw.
On the first day of free agency, the Jets addressed their two biggest needs on offense. They made clear his desire to acquire a backup quarterback to replace Zach Wilson. Wilson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, is expected to be traded or released. He also announced his goal to add three starters to the offensive line, which is the weakest unit, in 2023.
In Taylor, they acquired an experienced player who knows the New York market well. The big question is his durability. Taylor started five games for the New York Giants (his sixth NFL team) in 2023, throwing for 1,341 yards, five touchdown passes and three interceptions.
Although he started three games in place of injured starting pitcher Daniel Jones, Taylor's season was again interrupted by injury. He broke four ribs in a midseason game against the New York Jets.
The veteran quarterback, who turns 35 on August 3, finally returned to the starting lineup in the second half of a Week 16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, replacing Tommy DeVito. Taylor started the final two weeks of the season, throwing for 616 yards and two TDs.
The 2011 sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens has a 28-28-1 record as a starter. He completed 61.7% of his passes and threw for 12,135 yards, 65 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions with the Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Giants.
He won a Super Bowl title with the Ravens in 2013 and played in the Pro Bowl with the Bills in 2015. Taylor also threw for 2,268 yards and 19 touchdowns during his career.
Taylor plans to sign a two-year contract, sources confirmed. According to sources, Simpson will sign a two-year contract worth up to $18 million. The agreement was first reported by NFL Network.
Simpson is expected to replace left guard Laken Tomlinson, who was released on February 26th. Simpson joins center Joe Tippman and guard Ariya Berra-Tucker in the projected starting lineup. Vera-Tucker can play right guard or the tackle spot.
In his first full season with the Ravens in 2023, Simpson started every game at left guard. Simpson, who turns 27 on Aug. 19, ranks 24th among guards in pass block win percentage (92.5%) and 67th in run block win percentage (66.3%). The eight sacks he allowed were second-most on the Ravens.
He was one of the most durable offensive linemen last year, playing a team-high 1,159 snaps. Simpson was flagged for 10 penalties, including a team-worst six for holding. The Ravens had an opening at left guard after Ben Powers signed with the Denver Broncos last offseason. Simpson joined the Ravens' practice squad in December 2022 and won a battle against rookie Malaesala Aumabae-Raul and former third-round pick Ben Cleveland in 2023 training camp.
Simpson was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, started 21 games in three seasons (including all 17 games in 2021), and was waived by the Raiders in December 2022, nine days later. Welcomed to Baltimore. later.
Kinlaw, whose one-year deal was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, gives the Jets a rotational addition to their defensive line. They need to sign multiple defensive tackles, as Solomon Thomas, Quinton Jefferson, and Al Woods are now free agents. Kinlaw, who was drafted 14th overall by the 49ers in 2020 as a potential replacement for star tackle DeForest Buckner, has had an on-and-off career, particularly due to a knee injury.
Finally healthy in 2023, Kinlaw had his best season as a pro as the primary backup behind Interior's Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead. He played in all 17 regular season games, recording 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 12 pressures. He also recorded four tackles in the Super Bowl V loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kinlaw, 26, appeared in just 24 games through his first three seasons, recording just 1.5 sacks and one interception. Because of these struggles, the Niners declined the fifth-year option on Kinlaw's rookie contract before the 2023 season.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan, Jamison Hensley and Nick Wagoner contributed to this report.
