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Former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Joseph Ossai trying to make a play during an NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The New York Jets have made a free agency splash.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Jets have reached an agreement with Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai on a three-year $36 million contract with $22.5 million fully guaranteed.
Ossai, 25, will turn 26 before the start of the 2026 season. He originally entered the league as the No. 69 overall pick in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Across his five seasons at the NFL level, Ossai has appeared in 61 games and has made 12 starts. With those opportunities, Ossai has collected 14.5 sacks, 44 quarterback hits, 116 total tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three pass deflections.
Getting Into the Numbers
Ossai received a three-year $36 million contract. That $12 million annual salary places him No. 29 among the highest-paid pass rushers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
The Jets are undergoing massive defensive changes. Over the years, they have primarily employed a 4-3 defense, but they will shift to a 3-4 base this offseason.
That’ll require bigger defensive ends that can eat up blocks and set the edge in the run game. Paired with those defensive ends in an odd front will be an array of stand-up outside linebackers who can rush the passer.
Top Social Media Reactions to Ossai Joining the Jets
ESPN’s Rich Cimini noted that Ossai has recorded a total of 10 sacks over the last two seasons. The arrow is pointing up.
“Ossai finished the season with 10.6% pressure rate and 12.1% pass rush win rate (ESPN metric powered by Next Gen Stats), which were both the best marks of his career,” Cimini posted on social media.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY “reached out to a few defensive coaches” on the Jets’ addition of Ossai. He described him as a “good” depth piece.
“Ossai is very similar player to Mike Clemons. Not quite as big, but plays straight line fast. ‘He plays his balls off,’ one coach said. He’s a little stiff, though, which can lead to some missed plays. High-effort guy coaches love,” Hughes posted.
“The Jets are signing EDGE Joseph Ossai, per source. A good fit in their new defense. Had five sacks and 12 QB hits last season with the Bengals. He’s only 25 with room to grow,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote.
Head Coach Aaron Glenn Makes Clear Statement
He is calling his shot. Head coach Aaron Glenn has called his own number this offseason. After a year of Steve Wilks calling the plays, AG will step into the batter’s box.
That will require a massive defensive overhaul for the green and white. He needs to bring his guys in here, and that has led to a flurry of free agent additions.
Ossai seems like the right kind of guy to bet on. A player coming off his first couple of years in the league, hungry to prove that he is more than just some analytical numbers.
The Jets aren’t done adding defenders to this group. They’re still expected to take a front-seven player with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Paul Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets for Heavy.com. A New York native, he co-hosts a morning show, “The Manchild Show with Boy Green Digital.” Before joining Heavy in 2021, Esden Jr. covered both national and New York sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260. More about Paul Esden Jr.
