The Jets finally opened their checkbooks Wednesday night, making their first free-agent signing.
The team agreed to terms with offensive tackle Breno Giacomini, who spent the past three seasons as the starting right tackle for the Seahawks. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Giacomini visited the Jets on Wednesday and they secured a deal for him to replace Austin Howard as their starting right tackle. Howard signed with the Raiders early Wednesday morning.
Giacomini visited the Jets along with free-agent wide receiver Eric Decker, the former Bronco. The visits were the first signs of life from the Jets since free agency opened Tuesday afternoon.
The first 24 hours of free agency were a spending frenzy, with the Broncos leading the way. But the Jets sat on their checkbook, watching players sign elsewhere. Some say this is a wise strategy in free agency, but the Jets have a ton of holes to fill and are nearly $40 million under the salary cap. A few early moves were expected, but none came until the Giacomini signing.
Jets general manager John Idzik was a member of the Seahawks’ front office when they signed Giacomini away from the Packers. Giacomini missed seven games last year with a knee injury, but returned in time for the team’s run to the Super Bowl.
A source said ideally the Jets would like to sign two wide receivers and add a potential No. 1 receiver in May’s draft. This draft class is deep at wide receiver and a source said the Jets will not overpay in free agency for that reason.