NFL

Tomlinson agrees to two-year, $5.1M deal with Jets

There’s another “LT” coming to New York to play football, and this one plays offense.

Seventeen years after Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor retired, likely Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson is headed to New York to join the Jets.

One day after returning to his home in San Diego following a free-agent recruiting visit with the Jets, the former Chargers great chose the Jets over the Vikings, who also were aggressively recruiting him.

The Jets and Tomlinson’s agent, Tom Condon, confirmed the deal Sunday night, according to The Associated Press.

“He wanted to go a team that he thought had a chance to compete for the championship,” Condon told the AP. “He wanted to go somewhere where he had a chance to have a significant role, and so with the Jets he also was going to be very familiar with the offensive system.”

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Tomlinson agreed to a two-year, $5.1 million contract with $500,000 in incentives. Tomlinson visited Vikings brass in Minnesota last week before meeting with the Jets at their Florham Park, N.J., facility, touring the new Meadowlands stadium before being wined and dined.

The Eagles and Saints reportedly were interested in Tomlinson, but he opted not to visit either, instead choosing between the Jets and Vikings after consulting his wife, LaTorsha.

Tomlinson’s decision, first reported by the San Diego Union-Tribune, means the Jets add veteran insurance in a backfield that already includes Shonn Greene, in his second NFL season, and free agent Leon Washington, who’s recovering from a broken right leg.

Tomlinson, who turns 31 in June, has had declining production in the last couple of seasons. Last season was his worst as a pro with 730 yards rushing, a 3.3-yard average and 12 TDs.

He is an accomplished receiver out of the backfield, having caught 530 career passes, meaning he’ll likely be used as a third-down weapon along with Washington, if he stays.

The Jets still envision Greene as their lead back.

Though Tomlinson’s career credentials and character are unquestioned, the Jets’ release of Thomas Jones at the beginning of free agency and signing of Tomlinson seems curious, considering they seemingly did it because they didn’t want to pay Jones $5.8 million this season.

It’s possible the Jets simply felt Jones, in a more limited role, would not be as effective as he’s been as a featured back.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com