The 2020 season won’t be Patrick Onwuasor’s first in a Jets uniform.
The linebacker recently shared a childhood photo of himself on Instagram in an Inglewood Jets uniform. In the picture from his youth football days, Onwuasor said that he has always been a Jet.
Patrick Onwuasor was meant to be a Jet ✈️
(via peanut_thenut / IG) pic.twitter.com/W3BYMaOH90
— New York Jets (@nyjets) June 30, 2020
The Jets signed Onwuasor to a one-year deal worth $2 million this offseason. He has spent the last four seasons of his career in Baltimore, primarily as a starting linebacker alongside former Raven and current Jet C.J. Mosley.
Onwuasor put himself on the map during the 2017 season when he recorded 86 total tackles, two pass defenses and one sack. In 2018, Onwuasor finished with a career-high 5.5 sacks in addition to 59 total tackles, three pass defenses and one interception. He struggled mightily in 2019, however, and lost his starting job after Week 5.
The 27-year-old now has a chance to compete for the starting inside linebacker position next to Mosley. He’ll be joined by Neville Hewitt, Avery Williamson and Blake Cahsman.
If Onwuasor doesn’t win the starting job, he’ll serve as a solid depth piece. The Jets had an abundance of injuries at linebacker last season, so Onwuasor can fit right in with the starting experience he accumulated in Baltimore.