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ESPN Staff Writer- Rich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the Jets for over 30 years, joining ESPN in 2010. Rich also hosts the Flight Deck podcast. He previously was a beat writer for the New York Daily News and is a graduate of Syracuse University. You can follow him via Twitter @RichCimini.
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senior NFL national reporter- ESPN staff writer
- Previously a college football reporter for CBSSports.com
- University of Florida graduate
The New York Jets finalized a three-year contract worth $12 million with former Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon on Wednesday, agent Richard Kopelman told ESPN's Josina Anderson.
"I want thank the Pittsburgh Steelers for seven incredible years! They took a chance on a little known guy from Ozark, Alabama, which was all I needed. For that, I will always be grateful to the Rooney family, Kevin Colbert, Omar Khan, Coaches Tomlin, Mitchell, LeBeau, Butler, and the entire Steelers organization," McLendon said in a statement.
"I will miss my brothers in Pittsburgh, and the amazing fans of Steelers Nation. But I am excited to become part of a great New York Jets organization. I look forward to continued success on the field, and to becoming part of the New York Jets family."
McLendon will replace nose tackle Damon Harrison, who signed a free-agent deal last week with the New York Giants that will pay him $46 million over five years.
After being outbid for Harrison, a three-year starter, the Jets turned their attention to McLendon. They met with him last Friday.
Without a viable replacement for Harrison on the roster, the Jets felt they had to turn to free agency. McLendon will be surrounded by three talented defensive ends: Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.
The Jets on Wednesday also agreed to a two-year, $7 million contract with defensive end Jarvis Jenkins.
Coach Todd Bowles prefers a 3-4 scheme, but the Jets also play in a 4-3 front at times.
The Jets were approximately $2.5 million under the salary cap, so they will have to make a move to fit McLendon under the cap. Longtime left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who has a $14.1 million cap charge, could be released or asked to take a significant pay cut.
McClendon completed a three-year contract that paid him $2.25 million in 2015.
McLendon, 30, was limited to mostly rushing downs last season, playing 34 percent of the defensive snaps, but he had hoped to rush the passer more. He finished the season with 14 tackles and one sack.
He is reliable against the run, helping the Steelers rank among the top five in rushing defense for much of last season.