Defensive tackle Steve McLendon will be back for a fourth season with the Jets.
The team announced Thursday morning that it had re-signed the veteran to a one-year deal. It is worth $2.5 million with a maximum value of $3.5 million, according to The Daily News’ Manish Mehta.
The 33-year-old nose tackle has been solid since he signed with New York in 2016. In his first season with Gang Green, McLendon recorded 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 11 games. In 2017, he played in every single game with 14 starts and had a career-high 46 tackles in addition to 1.5 sacks. Last season, he had 34 tackles.
McLendon is a great piece to keep in the locker room. He brings veteran leadership to a young team. He spent his first six seasons of his career with the Steelers and was in the playoffs all but two seasons there.
With McLendon now re-signed, the Jets have kept their defensive line intact. They picked up Leonard Williams’ fifth-year option a while ago and re-signed defensive end Henry Anderson to a three-year deal. That said, don’t expect this to be it for the Jets as they continue to figure out their defensive front.
Just because McLendon is back, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be the starter or that the Jets are done adding.
