SOURCE: Jets re-sign key special-teams ace in under-the-radar move

The Jets bring back an important contributor.

Justin Fried

New York Jets linebacker Mykal Walker / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The New York Jets have brought back one of the more unheralded members of their 2025 roster, re-signing linebacker Mykal Walker to a one-year deal, a source tells The Jet Press.

Walker joined the Jets' practice squad in September and was signed to the active roster a month later. He'd go on to appear in 14 games for the Jets last season, playing a key role on special teams and impressing as a depth linebacker down the stretch.

The Jets have made some high-profile additions in free agency, namely on the defensive side of the ball, but they've also made sure to bring back a few under-the-radar names as well.

Walker joins the likes of tight end Jelani Woods, fullback Andrew Beck, and offensive lineman Max Mitchell as low-profile depth and special teams players who have re-signed with the Jets on one-year deals this offseason.

Jets re-sign backup linebacker Mykal Walker

A fourth-round pick of the Falcons in the 2020 NFL Draft, Walker spent the first three years of his career in Atlanta, starting 12 games in 2022 before he was released the following summer.

Following stints with the Steelers and Commanders, Walker would join the Jets just prior to the start of the 2025 season after failing to make the Cardinals' 53-man roster. He'd carve out an important role on Chris Banjo's special-teams unit, playing 81% of the Jets' special-teams snaps.

Walker would see his role on defense increase as the season went on, starting the final five games of the year and playing well in the process. In fact, from Weeks 14-18, Walker's 80.4 Pro Football Focus grade actually ranked eighth among all qualified linebackers in the NFL (min. 130 snaps).

He also impressed on special teams, leading the Jets with nine special teams tackles while posting a career-high 80.2 PFF special teams grade. That's why it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Jets made it a priority to bring him back this offseason.

The Jets signed former All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year deal in free agency, with the former Jets draft pick expected to start alongside Jamien Sherwood. Walker will now have the chance to compete for one of the top backup linebacker spots on the roster this summer.

The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.