MONDAY: The Jets have officially announced the signing of Mays.
FRIDAY: The Jets are expected to sign free agent linebacker Joe Mays to a contract, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com, who tweets that Mays will likely sign by early next week. Caplan first reported on Wednesday that the veteran linebacker was receiving interest from the Jets.
A seven-year veteran, Mays has spent time with the Eagles, Broncos, Texans, and Chiefs since being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft. In 2014, Mays spent the first half of the season on the injured reserve list with the designation to return due to a wrist injury. When he returned to the field, he recorded 20 tackles and a fumble recovery in eight games for Kansas City — he was cut by the team last month.
The Jets appear to be focused on adding linebacker depth this week, having already reached an agreement to bring aboard another free agent, former Viking Erin Henderson. Per Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), Henderson’s one-year deal with New York doesn’t include a signing bonus, so he’s certainly not locked into a roster spot. Mays and Henderson figure to be among the players vying for playing time at the inside linebacker positions on Todd Bowles‘ defense.
Mays, who turns 30 in July, also visited the Chargers in free agency.