GANG ALSO ADD STARTING CB, RB, LB
After some quiet early hours of free agency, the Jets made a huge splash Tuesday night.
The team agreed to a deal with star cornerback Trumaine Johnson, according to a source. Terms were not disclosed, and he cannot officially sign the deal until 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Johnson, who spent the past six years with the Rams, was considered by most to be the top cornerback available in free agency and one of the best overall players available.
The 2 8 -ye a r - o l d immediately upgrades coach Todd Bowles’ defense and strengthens a secondary the Jets began building last year by drafting safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye in the first and second round, respectively.
Johnson is a 6-foot-1, 205-pound, rangy corner. He has 18 career interceptions, including a whopping seven in the 2015 season when he played opposite current Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins with the Rams.
The Rams used their franchise tag on him in each of the past two seasons to keep him from hitting free agency.
Pro Football Focus has Johnson allowing just one touchdown in 932 snaps in 2017. He had two interceptions and defended nine others. Opposing quarterbacks had a 79.8 passer rating when throwing his way in 2017, according to PFF.
The Jets chose to sign Johnson over former Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, who signed a five-year, $61 million deal with the Titans on Tuesday.
The Jets have also agreed to a threeyear deal with running back Isaiah Crow
ell, according to a source. The 25-yearold spent the past four seasons with the Browns, where he averaged 4.2 yards per carry and was a strong receiver out of the backfield, catching 96 passes.
Crowell rushed 206 times for 853 yards and two touchdowns last year. He had 28 catches for 182 yards.
He does come with some baggage. He was kicked out of the University of Georgia after a firearm arrest in 2012. Then, in 2016 he posted a disturbing anti-police image to Instagram. Crowell later apologized and donated a game check to a police charity.
The Jets agreed to a deal with linebacker Avery Williamson, formerly of the Titans. That spells the end of Demario
Davis’ time with the Jets. Davis, who is a free agent, was seeking big money from the Jets and they were unwilling to give it to him.
Financial terms of the deal with Williamson were unknown Tuesday night. The 26-year-old was considered the top free agent inside linebacker on the market.