Jets fly into free agency with flurry of activity

NEW YORK — The New York Jets kicked off free agency with a furious frenzy.

After losing out on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, they brought back Josh McCown on a one-year deal worth $10 million on Wednesday. They also agreed to terms with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, also on a oneyear contract, according to published reports.

McCown, who’ll turn 39 in July, had a career season last year while setting individual highs with 2,926 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, and quickly established himself as a respected leader in the locker room.

Bridgewater is still looking to return from a serious knee injury in 2016 that sidelined him for most of the past two years. He threw just two passes last season for the Vikings, including one that was intercepted. The 25-year-old Bridgewater was a firstround draft pick in 2014 out of Louisville and was largely considered a rising star at his position before the injury.

There will be several other new faces on New York’s roster this year, including linebacker Avery Williamson and running back Isaiah Crowell. The Jets are also adding cornerback Trumaine Johnson and center Spencer Long, according to multiple reports.

Williamson signed a three-year contract worth $22.5 million with New York after spending his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee.

The 26-year-old Williamson will be a replacement at inside linebacker for Demario Davis, who led the Jets in tackles last season with a career season but is 29 and left as a free agent. Williamson has 111⁄2 sacks and 377 tackles with two interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Williamson was a fifthround pick out of Kentucky in the 2014 draft.

Crowell is joining the Jets on a three-year contract, adding depth to their backfield following the retirement of Matt Forte.

Crowell spent his first four seasons in Cleveland after signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State in 2014. He ran for 853 yards and two touchdowns last season, and caught 28 passes for 182 yards.

The 25-year-old Crowell complements veteran Bilal Powell and secondyear back Elijah McGuire in New York’s running game.

Johnson will give coach Todd Bowles’ defense a legitimate No. 1 cornerback to pair with the young playmaking safety duo of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye.

Johnson replaces Morris Claiborne, a free agent who could still be resigned by New York.

The Jets are also upgrading at center by adding Long. Wesley Johnson was the starting center last season as the replacement for Nick Mangold, but struggled at times and is now a free agent.