5 forgotten NY Jets who signed with new teams for 2024

2. Quinton Jefferson, DT

New Team: Cleveland Browns

The Jets wanted Quinton Jefferson back this offseason, and apparently, the feeling was reciprocated. However, the team reportedly took too long getting back to Jefferson. Whoops.

Despite this mishap, between Javon Kinlaw, Quinnen Williams, and others, the Jets should feel confident about what they have on the defensive line. But it is worth noting that Jefferson did start 14 solid games for the Jets last season.

Despite missing three games due to a hip injury in 2023, he has been one of the more durable defensive linemen over the past five seasons, having missed just five games total during that span.

Jefferson played an important role last year, replacing the departed Sheldon Rankins and providing stability to the front seven. While he hopefully won't represent a major gap in skill set for the team, Jefferson was a good player for a good Jets defense.

He moved on this offseason, signing a one-year deal worth up to $3.6 million with the Cleveland Browns. Despite an admirable 14 games, Jefferson falls into the ranks of forgotten 2023 Jets.

3. Jordan Whitehead, Safety

New Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jordan Whitehead started all 34 games of his Jets career. He finished the past two seasons with 89 and 97 combined tackles respectively, contributing six total interceptions as well. His most memorable moment was perhaps his three-interception game against Buffalo on opening night this past season.

Whitehead had been a staple in the Jets' defense since he signed with the Jets in 2022. The numbers have been solid, but his slew of missed tackles and poor pass coverage caused concern. With a young Tony Adams and the return of Chuck Clark this year, the Jets decided to let Whitehead walk.

This past offseason, he signed a two-year deal worth up to $10.5 million with his old team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. When Whitehead signed with the Jets ahead of the 2022 season, he was coming off a very successful four-year start to his career.

Whitehead was a starter and an important cog in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl machine. He even caused two forced fumbles against Aaron Rodgers' Green Bay Packers in the 2020 NFC Championship Game.

He was a pretty big signing at the time, and it's not like he was a complete failure, but he became too much of a liability to bring back this season.

The Jets hope that the return of Chuck Clark will be enough to fill the hole left by Whitehead's departure. The last time we saw Clark, he was a 101 total tackle guy in 2022 for Baltimore. The Jets believe he can more than fill the absence left by Whitehead.