Jets, ex-Colts CB Pierre Desir agree to deal, source says
Colts cornerback Pierre Desir reacts during the second half of an NFL game against the Texans in Indianapolis on Oct. 20, 2019. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings
The Jets reached a deal with a starting cornerback on Sunday, addressing a glaring need.
Former Colts corner Pierre Desir will sign a one-year contract that could pay him up to $5.5 million, a league source confirmed. Jets general manager Joe Douglas wasted little time locking up Desir after the Colts waived him Saturday.
Desir fills a major void for the Jets. Last year’s Week 1 starting cornerbacks, Trumaine Johnson and Darryl Roberts, were waived this past week. The Jets re-signed slot corner Brian Poole and brought back Arthur Maulet, who started six games last year, but they needed a more proven player on the outside.
Desir, 29, was a fourth-round pick of the Browns in 2014. He’s played 61 games with the Browns, Chargers and Colts and has recorded 210 tackles and five interceptions. Desir played two seasons with the Colts, appearing in 28 games (23 starts) with 29 tackles and four interceptions.
The Colts signed Desir to a three-year, $22.9 million extension after the 2018 season, his highest-graded one, according to Pro Football Focus. They waived him after his play slipped last year.
Douglas has been very active during the second wave of free agency. The Jets have reached deals with Desir, guard Greg Van Roten (who attended Chaminade High School), safety Marqui Christian and guard/center Josh Andrews.
They still have more holes to fill, including at wide receiver, and continue to monitor Robby Anderson’s situation.
The market for Anderson, who many projected would get a salary starting at $12 million or more, never really developed for him. That could allow the Jets to bring him back at a far lower number.
They also could land a quality if not dynamic wide receiver on Day 1 or Day 2 of next month’s draft.
Edge rusher continues to be an unfilled need. Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned, but it’s unlikely that Douglas will overspend for him. His approach in free agency has been to reach agreement with players on reasonable contracts that won’t handcuff the Jets going forward.
