Jets $2.5 Million Signing of Ex-All-Pro in Free Agency Earns Rave Reviews

The New York Jets have brought back a key piece to the squad.

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero shared on social media that the Jets are re-signing running back and return specialist Kene Nwangwu on a one-year deal for $2.5 million.

The #Jets are re-signing RB/KR Kene Nwangwu to a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million, per me and @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/NQfEC2vkpe

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 14, 2025

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Nwangwu was named a second-team All-Pro as a returner in 2022 with the Minnesota Vikings.

Jets Re-Signing of Nwangwu Creates Buzz on Social Media

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic said Nwangwu “looked really good before suffering a season ending injury last year.”

Jets analyst Joe Caporoso said, “KR1” in response to the news.

NFL analyst Will Parkinson called it a “good move” on X previously Twitter.

The Jets signed him to the practice squad on September 9, 2024. However they didn’t give him a chance on the active roster until December.

In Nwangwu’s Jets debut he took a kickoff 99-yards to the house for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13.

Nwangwu’s impact was great but short-lived. He only appeared in two games with the Jets before breaking his hand and being ruled out for the season.

Kene Nwangwu broke his hand and is out for the season. The Jets RB has emerged as a returner lately.

— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) December 13, 2024

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Nwangwu had three returns for 157 yards, one of those being the 99-yard touchdown return. He averaged 52.3 yards per return last season albeit with a limited sample size.

Jets Making an Effort to Keep Their Own

A new regime has taken over on 1 Jets Drive. Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey are at the operations.

Despite having no ties to the previous regime, this new group has made it a point to bring back a lot of the talent from last year.

Six players that played for the Jets in 2024 who were free agents are now scheduled to be back in 2025, per Over The Cap.

The most notable player was linebacker Jamien Sherwood. He was retained on a three-year deal for $45 million with $30 million of that guaranteed.

Sherwood revealed to Jets team reporter Eric Allen that he was “praying” that he would be able to return to the team this offseason.

The 25-year-old turned down multiple other opportunities because he said it wouldn’t have felt right to go anywhere else. Sherwood expressed his desire to stay with the Jets for the rest of his career.

Jamien Sherwood revealed to @eallenjets that he was ‘praying’ that he got to stay with the #Jets this offseason. 🥹

‘I wanted to be here’ + said he turned down multiple opportunities + @JamienSherwood said it wouldn’t have felt right to go anywhere else, ‘this is where I’ve made… pic.twitter.com/YqnZKpP3Wi

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) March 14, 2025

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The other players the Jets retained include safety Tony Adams, wide receiver Irv Charles, offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson, linebacker Jamin Davis, and the aforementioned Nwangwu.

Several other Jets free agents remain on the open market over a month plus away from the 2025 NFL draft.