Texans sign former Georgia linebacker to two-year deal

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia Bulldogs and New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins to a two-year contract.

The Houston Texans have signed former Georgia Bulldogs and New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins to a two-year contract. Jenkins projects to be a pass rushing outside linebacker in Houston’s 3-4 defensive scheme.

Jenkins, who is 26 years old, has played five career seasons in the NFL for the New York Jets. Jordan Jenkins has 22.5 career sacks and should provide a boost to the Texans’ pass rush, which is replacing J.J. Watt this offseason.

The former Georgia football star has started 62 games in his NFL career. Jordan Jenkins battled a shoulder injury in 2020 and recorded 2.0 sacks for New York. The Jets placed Jordan Jenkins, who was their longest-tenured player, on injured reserve in Dec. 2020 due to his shoulder issue

Jordan Jenkins’ two-year deal with Houston, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, can be worth up to $8 million if he earns incentives. Houston needed pass rush help. The Texans recorded only 34 sacks last season and lost their best pass rushed in J.J. Watt. Now, Houston adds Jenkins, who has experience as a top pass rushing threat.

Jordan Jenkins is projected to start opposite outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus. The Texans have had some major roster turnover this offseason.

[listicle id=40409]

Contract details: New York Jets re-sign Jordan Jenkins

The New York Jets are re-signing former Georgia Bulldog outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins was the Jets’ 2019 sack leader.

The New York Jets are re-signing former Georgia Bulldog outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins. Jenkins, the Jets’ 2019 sack leader, anticipated a larger market for his services.

Now, he’s returning to New York on a one-year, $5M prove it deal. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news of Jenkins’ signing:

Jordan Jenkins was New York’s most effective pass-rusher in the front seven. He recorded 8.0 sacks last season following his previous career-high of 7.0 sacks in 2018. Jenkins has 20.5 sacks in his career along with 157 total tackles.

Nov 24, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA;

New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins pressures Raiders quarterback Derek Carr during at MetLife Stadium.Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Jets fans are relieved to see Tom Brady out of the AFC East. New York hasn’t won the AFC East since 2002. The New England Patriots have won the AFC East every season since 2002 except for the 2008 season, when the Miami Dolphins took the division.

Jenkins will give the Jets a boost in 2020, but they’ll need another pass-rusher to step up. The Jets sacked the opposing quarterback 35 times last season (23rd in the NFL).

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]