5 former NY Jets we’d like to see return in 2024

Everyone loves a good reunion, right? The sports world is full of fun tales of reconciliation over the years, and the NY Jets are no strangers to that.

From Darrelle Revis to Laveranues Coles to Demario Davis, the Jets have had numerous players over the years return to the organization after a few years away. Perhaps the same could happen this offseason.

The Jets will have an opportunity to reunite with some notable former players, as quite a few ex-Jets are set to hit the open market. Maybe, just maybe, a couple of them could make their way back to Florham Park.

This list is only reserved for the former Jets who could realistically re-join the organization. That means players like Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, who both ended their Jets tenures on bad terms, likely do not qualify.

5. The NY Jets could sign Tyler Kroft

Tyler Kroft spent one year with the Jets in 2021, appearing in nine games before a chest injury shortened his season. The veteran tight end hauled in 16 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown in his lone season in Florham Park.

Kroft isn't exactly a superstar pass-catcher, but he's proven to be a useful blocking tight end and special-teams contributor. That's how he's been able to put together a very respectable nine-year NFL career.

The Jets are expected to part ways with C.J. Uzomah this offseason, leaving the team with a vacancy in their tight end room behind Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert.

It might not be the worst idea to sign Kroft to a minimum contract to have him compete with the likes of Zack Kuntz, Kenny Yeboah, etc. for the third tight end job. Not necessarily a high-profile move, but a Jets/Kroft reunion at least makes some degree of sense.

4. The NY Jets could sign Sam Darnold

A much more high-profile reunion for the Jets could come in the form of former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold. The Jets will be looking for a capable backup quarterback this offseason, and Darnold could fill that hole.

The USC product spent last season as Brock Purdy's backup in San Francisco after a failed two-year stint with the Carolina Panthers. There have been rumblings that Darnold could receive starting consideration this offseason, but the safe bet is to assume he retains a backup job.

Ignoring their history for a second, the Jets make sense as a landing spot for Darnold. Aaron Rodgers' injury history is a genuine concern, and there's a clear path to playing time in New York if the four-time MVP misses time again in 2024.

Darnold might have more appealing offers, and the Jets might have more appealing targets, but there's a world in which these two reunite in the offseason. It's more possible than some might think.

3. The NY Jets could sign Greg Van Roten

Greg Van Roten was not a particularly good starting guard during his time with the Jets. The Long Island native spent two seasons with the organization from 2020-2021 and was benched in favor of veteran Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in his final season with the team.

Some guys are just late bloomers, though, and that's what Van Roten set out to prove after leaving the Jets. Following a nondescript season in Buffalo, primarily as a backup, Van Roten started all 17 games for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023 — and he was genuinely one of the better guards in football.

Van Roten finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of 75.3, which ranked seventh among all qualified guards in the NFL. It was easily the best season of his career, and it miraculously came in his age 33 season.

Van Roten shouldn't be a top target for the Jets, but given that the team will likely sign multiple offensive linemen in free agency, bringing Van Roten back on a cheap-ish deal makes some sense. Forget everything that happened with the Jets — he was legitimately good last year.

2. The NY Jets could sign Sheldon Rankins

Sheldon Rankins left the Jets last offseason to sign a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Houston Texans. Rankins had been a rock-solid defensive contributor over the last two seasons, but the Jets were never going to compete with that offer.

The former Saints first-round pick was excellent in his lone season with the Texans, racking up six sacks and 42 pressures — the most since his breakout 2018 season in New Orleans.

Rankins is once again set to be a free agent this offseason, and with the Jets potentially in the market for defensive tackle depth, a reunion makes plenty of sense for both sides.

Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas are both free agents for the Jets. If Rankins' price tag is reasonable, a return to New York could be the ideal landing spot for the eight-year pro.

1. The NY Jets could sign George Fant

Another Texans free agent who could make his way back to the Jets this offseason is George Fant. Fant similarly signed a one-year deal with the Texans last offseason, and he went on to start 13 games for the team in 2023.

Primarily playing right tackle, Fant finished the year with a very respectable PFF pass-block grade of 68.4, which ranked 34th among 81 qualified offensive tackles. He was still an average starting-caliber player.

The Jets enter the offseason with just two locked-in starters on their offensive line and zero definitive tackles at the moment. Fant may not be one of the top players on the market, but he would represent an upgrade.

The former undrafted free agent started 36 games over three years with the Jets and was genuinely a very good left tackle in 2021. Re-signing Fant on an affordable, short-term contract is one low-budget way to upgrade the offensive line this offseason.