While the Friday after the final preseaon game is looked at as a cut-day, the Jets were able to add safety Matthias Farley in the process.
Farley signed with the Jets after being recently waived by the Indianapolis Colts. He joins Nate Hairston and Derrick Kindred as the third former Colts player to join New York’s secondary in recent weeks.
Playing with the Colts for three seasons, Farley appeared in 37 games, recording three interceptions, 11 breakups, two forced fumbles and 118 tackles.
With that said, let’s get to know the Jets’ newest addition to their secondary.
Leadership
Matthias Farley got caught in a game of numbers in Indianapolis. That doesn’t mean his presence won’t be missed.
In fact, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic, Farley deserves a lot of credit for being a great young leader on the Colts during times of tragedy and uncertainty. Because of this, he has been able to maximize his value as a UDFA out of Notre Dame.
By signing Farley, the Jets get depth at the safety position, which is needed due to Marcus Maye’s injury history. Getting a player with the leadership capabilities of Farley could pay dividends for a young team looking to make a sizable jump in 2019.
Pillar in the Community
It’s seldom that the general manager of a team takes to Twitter to thank a former player for their contributions to the organization. Around this time of year, over 1,000 players will be let go; it’s just part of the business. Matthias Farley was just another name, but not to Colts general manager Chris Ballard.
“He was a leader for our organization on and off the field,” Ballard said in a statement. “Matthias has a passion to help others and was a pillar for our team in the Indianapolis community. We are so thankful for his contributions to the Horseshoe and wish him the best moving forward.”
Such a statement from a general manager is rare for the release of a reserve player, but it speaks to the impact Farley made in his time with the Colts.
Luck of the Irish
Before his NFL career, Matthias Farley was a standout defensive back at Notre Dame.
Farley started 26 of 52 games in four seasons at Notre Dame. He recorded 192 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, eight interceptions, 13 passes defended and one forced fumble.
In his first season starting full-time at safety, Farley helped Notre Dame finish the regular season undefeated and earned a spot in the BCS National Championship Game.
His work at Notre Dame helped him sign with the Arizona Cardinals following the 2016 draft. Farley was waived during final roster cuts and scooped up by the Colts a day later.
Making the Switch
Like his former Colts and current Jets teammate, Nate Hairston, Matthias Farley was forced to change positions in college.
He began his collegiate career as a wide receiver and redshirted in 2011. Farley transitioned to safety in 2012 and started immediately became a starter.
