Jets Sign Kevin Minter, Charles Johnson

The Jets have announced some under-the-radar signings that could pay dividends this season. Linebacker Kevin Minter and wide receiver Charles Johnson have agreed to terms with the Jets, Brian Costello of the New York Post tweets.

Minter spent the 2017 season with the Bengals and visited the Bills last month. He’ll return to a 3-4 scheme with the Jets and reunite with Todd Bowles, who coached Minter for two seasons as the Cardinals’ defensive coordinator.

Johnson did not play in 2017 but visited the Jets last month. He’s agreed to terms to join a somewhat crowded Gang Green receiving corps.

The Bengals signed Minter to start at middle linebacker, but he saw just 196 snaps in the nine games he played last season to lower his value. A seven-game starter, Minter saw a hamstring injury limit him and eventually send him to IR.

The Jets also made a splashy addition to their inside-linebacking contingent earlier this offseason in signing Avery Williamson. New York also has 2016 first-round pick Darron Lee, but he’s struggled as an NFLer thus far. Minter started all 32 regular-season games for the Cardinals from 2015-16 and entered the 2017 offseason with higher stock as a UFA. The former second-round pick may have to use this season to rebuild it.

Johnson spent last season on the Panthers’ IR after a summer injury. He signed for $2.2MM in Carolina last year after being a part-time Vikings starter. His most notable season came as a rookie in Minnesota. The Division II product posted 475 receiving yards and two touchdowns prior to the Vikings forming the Adam ThielenStefon Diggs pairing.

Johnson will join a Jets corps that now has Terrelle Pryor and Andre Roberts, to go along with 2017 starters Robby Anderson and Jermaine Kearse and second-year players ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen. Quincy Enunwa is also back from injury, so there will be a fight for receiving jobs in the coming months.

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