Jets off to fast start in free agency, re-sign Berrios, reach deal with guard Tomlinson
NEW YORK -- The New York Jets re-signed All-Pro kick returner Braxton Berrios to a two-year, $12 million deal on Monday, keeping the versatile wide receiver after a breakout season.
The deal includes $7 million fully guaranteed, according to Berrios' agent Drew Rosenhaus.
The Jets also agreed to terms with former 49ers guard Laken Tomlinson on a three-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the deal. The move addresses one of New York's biggest offseason needs as the start of the legal tampering period of free agency began. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the team.
Another person with direct knowledge of the contract told the AP the deal for Tomlinson is worth up to $41.2 million with incentives and includes $27 million guaranteed.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday night the Jets had agreed to terms on a three-year, $24 million pact with tight end C.J. Uzomah, who spent the previous seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 26-year-old Berrios spent the last three years with the Jets, but emerged this past season as one of the NFL's top returners while leading the league with an average of 30.4 yards on kickoffs. He also brought back a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown against Jacksonville in Week 15. Last season marked Berrios' first extended action as a kickoff returner after previously primarily returning punts.
Berrios also proved himself a reliable and consistent receiver for rookie quarterback Zach Wilson, catching a career-high 46 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 40 yards and two scores.
Berrios confirmed his return to the Jets on Twitter, writing: "WE'RE BAAAACK"
With the 30-year-old Tomlinson, general manager Joe Douglas upgrades the offensive line with a durable veteran who is coming off his first career Pro Bowl selection as an alternate. He has missed just one game during his seven-year NFL career, and none the last four seasons.
Tomlinson was a first-round draft pick of Detroit in 2015 who was traded to San Francisco in 2017. In New York, he'll be reunited with Jets coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who Tomlinson played under in San Francisco.
Tomlinson has been a left guard throughout his career, but is likely to shift to the right side with the Jets. Alijah Vera-Tucker, a first-round pick last year, had a very good rookie season at left guard. Tomlinson is a marked upgrade over Greg Van Roten and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who both started at right guard last season.
Van Roten will become a backup or be released, and Duvernay-Tardif is scheduled to become a free agent.
Douglas vowed to improve the blocking unit over the past few seasons. He has spent two first-round picks over the last two years - Vera-Tucker last year and left tackle Mekhi Becton in 2020 - and now signed one of the most coveted interior offensive linemen in free agency.
The Jets previously re-signed four of their potential free agents: safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Will Parks, backup offensive lineman Conor McDermott, and fullback Nick Bawden.
