Jets add O-lineman Tomlinson, tight end Uzomah and retain receiver/returner Berrios

Jets general manager Joe Douglas secured some protection for Zach Wilson and gave him some needed weapons on the first day NFL teams could negotiate with free agents.

Douglas reached deals with former 49ers Pro Bowl guard Laken Tomlinson and ex-Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah, according to league sources. The Jets are also bringing back valuable, versatile receiver/kick returner Braxton Berrios and running back Tevin Coleman.

Tomlinson will get a three-year deal worth up to $41.2 million, with $27 million guaranteed. Uzomah will sign a three-year, $24 million deal. Berrios is signing a two-year, $12 million deal, his agent Drew Rosenhaus said.

It was a productive start to free agency for Douglas and the Jets. And they’re far from done.

They still need to address the secondary. Saints safety Marcus Williams and former Patriots and Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore are on the Jets’ radar. They also would like to get Wilson more weapons – a wide receiver, another tight end and perhaps a pass-catching running back.

Deals can’t become official or be announced until the start of the new league year on Wednesday.

The first player the Jets struck a deal with was Tomlinson, an immediate upgrade at right guard and someone the coaches know very well.

Tomlinson, 30, spent the past five years with the 49ers. Jets’ offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and O-line coach John Benton were with San Francisco for four of those seasons. The Jets are essentially running the same offense and blocking scheme. Tomlinson’s transition should be smooth even though he’s expected to move from left guard to right guard.

The Jets drafted left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker last year. They envision him playing that position for them for a long time.

A first-round pick of the Lions in 2015, Tomlinson made his first Pro Bowl last season. He allowed two sacks last season and continued to be a strong run blocker for one of the NFL’s top running games. Tomlinson also is very durable. He’s missed just one game in his career and has played every offensive snap the last three seasons.

Tomlinson’s presence could mean the Jets will move on from Long Beach product from Greg Van Roten. The former Chaminade star, signed in 2020, lost his starting job in the middle of last season to Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Tomlinson is an upgrade over both of them. The Jets could opt to keep Van Roten for depth but cutting him would clear $3.5 million in cap space.

The Jets absolutely needed to improve the tight end position, which is a huge part of LaFleur’s system. No team targeted their tight ends last season fewer than the Jets. Uzomah will change that.

Uzomah, 29, is coming off the best season of his career with 49 catches for 493 yards and five touchdowns. He has spent his entire seven-year career with Cincinnati. He sprained his MCL in the AFC Championship game, but he was able to play for the Bengals in the Super Bowl.

The Jets could sign another tight end or draft one in what is considered a deep and talented class. Either way, Ryan Griffin’s days as a Jet could be numbered now. They would free up another $3.19 million if they released Griffin.

Bringing back Berrios was always a priority. He was one of Wilson’s most trusted receivers last season and led the NFL in kick return yardage.

"WE’RE BAAAACK," Berrios tweeted.

Wilson posted a picture of himself and Berrios, and tweeted, "Let’s run it back." A number of Jets posted similar messages on social media after Berrios’ tweet.

Berrios showed he can be a productive and versatile player in LaFleur’s system. Berrios finished second on the Jets with five total touchdowns (two receiving, two rushing and one kick return). He became the first Jets’ receiver to have a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game.

Coleman’s first season with the Jets didn’t go as he hoped. He ran for 356 yards in 11 games last season. But he gives the Jets depth behind Michael Carter and can be used on special teams as a returner. Coleman still can be explosive.

The Jets lost one of their captains as defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi received a three-year, $30 million contract from the Jaguars, a league source confirmed. Fatukasi, a sixth-round pick of former Jets’ GM Mike Maccagnan in 2018, was one of the Jets’ better run stoppers and leaders. He started 23 games over the past two seasons, including all 15 he played last year.