Jets bring back cornerback Darryl Roberts, source says
Jets cornerback Darryl Roberts looks on from the field during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Aug. 1, 2018. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Jets are holding on to cornerback Darryl Roberts. They came to terms on a deal with the pending free agent Monday, a league source confirmed. It was a small move for a team that is expected to be very busy this week.
The free-agent negotiation period began Monday, and the Jets have many holes to fill. One of them is in the secondary, where Roberts played well last season. He appeared in all 16 games, starting 10 of them, and played on special teams. He spelled Trumaine Johnson at corner when he was injured and Marcus Maye at safety when he was out. Roberts was fifth on the team in tackles (48) and fourth in passes defended (seven).
The Jets still need to address the secondary. Safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are signed. The Jets gave Johnson a five-year, $72 million deal last offseason. But cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine are set to become free agents Wednesday.
Roberts is the second free agent that the Jets are bringing back. They agreed on a deal with offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison over the weekend. Other free agents the Jets would like to retain include defensive end Henry Anderson, returner Andre Roberts and kicker Jason Myers.
The Jets addressed the offensive line Sunday when they reached an agreement in principle to acquire former two-time Pro Bowl left guard Kelechi Osemele and a sixth-round pick from the Raiders for a fifth-rounder.
The deal can’t become official until Wednesday, when the league year begins. Osemele tweeted Monday, “J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets! ... Can’t wait to bring one in with my new squad.”
Since protecting Sam Darnold is a priority, the Jets are expected to pursue the top two centers in free agency, Matt Paradis of the Broncos and Kansas City’s Mitch Morse.
The Jets also plan to sign former Bears wide receiver/special teams Josh Bellamy, a source confirmed. Bellamy, 29, caught 14 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown last year for the Chicago.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
