The New York Jets are entering the 2019 league year with the second most cap space in the NFL.
The Jets have experienced their highs and lows in free agency, from signing future Hall of Famers and Ring of Honor inductees to flat out busts. This offseason, Mike Maccagann will try to do the former as the Jets are coming off a rather forgettable free agent class.
As he prepares for another round of spending, let’s take a look at the five best free agent signings in team history.
1. RB Curtis Martin
The best free agent signing in the history of the franchise is none other than Curtis Martin. The Hall of Famer was acquired when the Jets signed him as a restricted free agent, sending the New England Patriots two draft picks in return.
Martin rushed for 10,302 yards and 58 touchdowns in 123 starts for the Jets. In 2004, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,697, the most accumulated in a single season during his career.
Martin was inducted into Canton in 2012 and the Jets subsequently retired his No. 28 the same season.
2. C Kevin Mawae
Kevin Mawae was just inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The eight-time All-Pro was a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team. He strung together 177 consecutive starts at center, one of the most impressive streaks in modern NFL history.
Mawae anchored the Jets offensive line to multiple playoff runs and was in part responsible for Martin’s great success at running back.
3. WR Wayne Cherbet
Wayne Chrebet is one of the greatest wide receivers in Jets history. He played his entire 11-year career with New York, registering 580 catches, 7,365 receiving yards and 41 touchdowns.
An undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, he became a Jets Ring of Honor member. Chrebet was the Julian Edelman of his time and paved the way for short wideouts to be utilized primarily in the slot.
He became one of the most dependable wide receivers in the NFL, especially on third down. His career was cut short due to concussions, but No. 80 stands alone as one of the best to ever do it in green and white.
4. G Alana Faneca
Alan Faneca will be remembered as a Pittsburgh Steeler, as he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame this past season, but his impact with the New York Jets doesn’t go unnoticed.
Faneca was one of the best offensive linemen in football when the Jets signed him to a five-year, $40 million contract, the richest contract amongst linemen at the time.
He helped the Jets reach an AFC Championship game and his impact was felt on the offensive line. The Jets unit was one of the most feared in the NFL when he was among those lining up in the trenches.
5. QB Vinny Testaverde
Prior to the 1998 season, Vinny Testaverde signed with Bill Parcells and the Jets.
Testaverde got the Jets one game from a Super Bowl and had them labeled as the heavy favorites before rupturing his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2000 season.
Testaverde registered a 35-26 record in two stints over seven seasons with the Jets. He also led them to two playoff appearances and 14 fourth-quarter comebacks.
