NY Jets: A look at Freddie Bishop

The NY Jets have agreed to terms with CFL stand out linebacker Freddie Bishop on a two-year deal. He could be the answer they’ve been looking for at the position.

Bishop went undrafted out of Western Michigan in 2013. He signed with the Detroit Lions that spring but was released before the start of training camp. He then signed with the Calgary Stampedes initially as a practice squad player.

Since his time in Calgary, the young pass rusher has generated some serious interest from NFL teams just like his teammate, wide receiver Eric Rodgers generated from teams such as the Jets and Giants. After several visits with NFL teams, the soon to be 26-year old linebacker agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Gang Green.

Bishop’s billed height and weight stands at 6-foot-3 and 255 pounds as he should be an edge rusher/outside linebacker for the Jets who are currently looking to rebuild at that position. The Jets cut outside linebacker and former first-round draft pick Quinton Coples 10 games into last season.

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35-year old Calvin Pace is not expected to be back with the team and former third-round draft pick Lorenzo Mauldin was primarily a situational pass rusher in 2015.

Mauldin will most likely line up opposite side of whichever linebacker the Jets either draft or sign in 2016.

Could Bishop make an immediate impact on the Jets in 2016 and possibly fight for a starting gig? Anything’s possible, we’ve seen a plethora of undrafted players in the NFL gain starting gigs over athletes drafted in the earlier rounds of the NFL draft such as athletes like Wes Welker, Kurt Warner, Malcolm Butler, Chris Harris and even New York’s very own Wayne Chrebet.

Bishop led the Stampedes last year with a total of 11 sacks and has piled up a total of 14 sacks for Calgary in 25 games. Bishop also helped the Stampedes win the Grey Cup which is their version of the Super Bowl.

The Jets were amongst the most surprising teams in 2015 finishing at 10-6 after a previous 4-12 stint the year before. Their success was largely credited to their stout defense which allowed the fourth-fewest yards in the league. In order to keep the momentum going and maintain their dominance on the defensive side of the ball, the Jets and soon to be second-year head coach Todd Bowles must address the linebacker position.

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By signing Bishop, who was a hot topic for NFL teams after the regular season, could very well be the Jets’ answer at linebacker for 2016. Like I said earlier, anything is possible. I do still expect the Jets to address the linebacker position via free agency and also sometime within the first three rounds of this year’s draft. However, I love to see the Jets exploring talent beyond the NFL. You truly never know where the next Canton great could be hiding.