This Jets defender might’ve just found the role that saves his career

Rashad Weaver’s name hasn’t gotten much attention from New York Jets fans this offseason, but if his recent comments are any indication, that might be starting to change.

A low-profile free-agent signing back in March, Weaver has quietly impressed during spring practices. And now, after minicamp, the veteran pass rusher finally sounds like someone who’s found the right fit, and maybe the right opportunity.

Weaver told reporters last week that he's excited to be back in a defensive system that suits his skill set. More specifically, he's happy to be playing defensive end again.

"I’m excited. I get to be a defensive end, not an outside linebacker. I mean, in the most simple way: hand in the dirt, get off, attack and, you know, be the bully."

Rashad Weaver

After spending most of his career miscast in Tennessee, Weaver is back to playing the position he thrived in at Pitt. With the Jets searching for reliable depth behind their top edge rushers, this summer might be his best shot yet at reviving his NFL career.

Rashad Weaver is making an early push for a NY Jets roster spot

Weaver’s NFL career has yet to take off the way he once hoped. A fourth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2021, Weaver flashed promise early in his career but struggled to carve out a consistent role.

He played in 33 games over three seasons, recording 5.5 total sacks, all of which came in 2022. But by 2024, he had fallen out of the rotation entirely. He appeared in just three games for the Houston Texans last season after being let go by the Titans in August.

Weaver signed a one-year deal with the Jets in March, hoping to salvage his NFL career. At the time, Weaver was considered nothing more than a camp body, a low-risk flier added to compete with other fringe depth options.

But Weaver quietly put together a strong showing at OTAs and minicamp. According to The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt, Weaver “stood out in the spring, winning a lot of his battles against both the starting offensive tackles and the backups.” That’s a big deal for a player who entered minicamp buried on the depth chart.

Part of the reason for the early success might come down to fit. With the Jets, Weaver is no longer playing out of position as a stand-up outside linebacker. Instead, he’s back in a true 4-3 defensive end role, the same one where he thrived at Pitt before entering the league.

There’s still a long road ahead, of course. The Jets’ defensive end depth is thin behind projected starters Jermaine Johnson and Will McDonald, but it’s crowded with question marks.

Johnson is working his way back from a torn Achilles and may begin training camp on the PUP list. McDonald broke out in 2024 with 10.5 sacks, but behind them is a muddled mix of underwhelming veterans and unproven youth.

Micheal Clemons has experience but is an underwhelming depth piece at best. Fifth-round rookie Tyler Baron and 2024 undrafted holdovers Braiden McGregor and Eric Watts are developmental options.

Weaver might not have a clear path yet, but with a strong summer, he could force his way onto the 53-man roster and maybe back onto the NFL radar.

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