Former Auburn standout staying with New York Jets for $45 million
The 2024 season was linebacker Jamien Sherwood’s first opportunity to play on a regular basis with the New York Jets defense. In response, Sherwood set a new NFL record with 98 solo tackles, and the Jets made sure the former Auburn safety couldn’t escape in free agency.
SportsNet New York, FOX Sports, and ESPN claimed on Sunday that the Jets had a three-year, $45 million contract deal with $30 million in guaranteed money, preventing Sherwood from becoming an unrestricted free agency on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CDT.
Sherwood was selected by New York in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the goal of turning him into a linebacker. C.J. Mosley, a Pro Bowl veteran, was Sherwood’s mentor for the first three seasons.
Sherwood only appeared in five games as a rookie due to an injury, but he was on the field for 219 defensive snaps and 729 special teams plays in 2022 and 2023.
Mosley played just four games and 110 defensive snaps in 2024 due to injury.
Sherwood took 1,065 defensive snaps to fill the gap. In addition to his 158 total tackles, he was named the Jets’ 2024 Most Valuable Player and received the Curtis Martin Award.
Sherwood broke the record for the most tackles in a season by a former Auburn player, set in 2012 by Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby, with 134. (Since 1987, leaguewide tackles have been documented.)