As the Jets prepare to begin chasing other teams’ free agents, they brought back one of their own Friday.
The Jets and tight end Jeff Cumberland agreed to a three-year contract, according to a source. Cumberland was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. The Jets are also deep into negotiations with right tackle Austin Howard, an impending free agent, to bring him back, according to a source.
Teams can begin negotiating with the agents of other teams’ free agents Saturday at noon. This negotiating window is a head-start on free agency that began last year. It gives teams three days to work on contract numbers before the players officially can sign contracts Tuesday at 4 p.m.
That means other teams interested in Howard or other Jets free agents can start speaking with their agents, and Jets general manager John Idzik and his staff can begin to legally talk to the representatives of free agents they are interested in. Teams cannot speak directly with players during this window and cannot arrange visits to the team’s training facilities.
Cumberland and Howard have been the Jets’ top priorities to get re-signed. Cumberland had 26 catches for 398 yards and four touchdowns last year. His return does not mean the Jets will stop looking for tight ends, a position at which they are extremely thin. One potential target came off the board Friday when the Cardinals signed John Carlson, who was cut by the Vikings this week. The Jets reportedly had interest in Carlson.
Howard, 26, has improved greatly as the team’s starting right tackle over the past two years. He was ranked as the No. 47 tackle in football by Pro Football Focus last season.
One Jets player who looks like he will hit free agency is guard Willie Colon. There have not been any contract talks between the two sides.
Colon played well at times last year, but suffered a biceps injury at the end of the season, which required surgery. He will be 31 next month and the Jets may feel the need to get younger at the position.