New York Jets To Sign James Carpenter

Photo Credit: Kirby Lee – USA Today

The New York Jets are set to sign guard James Carpenter, according to Fox Sports insider Mike Garafalo. The deal is over a four-year span, worth about $5 million per year, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. 

Though it will not be official until the season officially commences at 4 pm EST, the two have agreed in principle to a deal. 

 After missing out on top guards like Orlando Franklin and Mike Iupati, the Jets made it a priority to improve a shaky offensive line. In 2014, the offensive line could not keep quarterbacks Geno Smith and Mike Vick safe, allowing 28 and 19 sacks respectively. 

Carpenter’s 2015 option was not picked up by the Seattle Seahawks, resulting in him becoming a free agent.

Though the guard can hold his own on the line, he has found his share of difficulty with staying on-the-field. He missed 16 games in his first two seasons before returning and playing a whole year in 2013 (10 of 16 games started). Last year he missed three games. 

 The Jets will replace Willie Colon, who is a free agent and unexpected to return after struggling. Carpenter is a very reliable replacement and proved so by playing a vital role in Seattle’s back-to-back NFC Championships (one of which resulted in a Super Bowl win).