NEWSLETTER
It’s been a newsworthy day for the New York Jets. First, earlier this afternoon, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers announced on The Pat McAfee Show that he intends to play in New York for the Jets. And now, they lose defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in free agency to the Houston Texans, thus ending his two-year stint in East Rutherford.
Rankins had a solid season for the Jets, starting 15 of the team’s 17 games and compiling 43 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 7 QB Hits, and four tackles for loss. The Texans have a ton of cap space to work with and need help just about everywhere on that roster. So this move makes a ton of sense for new head coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense.
Houston allowed the most rush yards in the NFL last season with 2,894, so getting stronger up the middle makes sense.
Rankins was seen as a possible target for the Bears as well as they continue their free-agent spending spree. The Bears have signed a defensive lineman already in, DeMarcus Walker, but they still need much more help on their defensive front. It will be interesting to see how Ryan Poles attacks that need as names keep flying off the market.
Rankins has played 7 NFL seasons for the Saints and Jets and will be 29 years old when the 2023 NFL season rolls around.
