Jets Sign Ryan Kalil Out Of Retirement

The Jets have signed five-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil, according to a team announcement. Kalil retired after the 2018 season, but the Jets have convinced the center to suit up at least one more time. 

It’s a one-year, $8.4MM deal for the Jets and Kalil, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). However, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets $8.4MM is the maximum value of Kalil’s pact, which contains incentives. The agreement is still pending a physical, which may be more than a formality – Kalil was limited to just six regular-season games in 2017 by a neck injury.

The former USC standout played in just 14 games between 2016 and 2017. Prior to that, he suited up for at least 15 contests six times in a seven-year span — with five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro distinctions having occurred during that time. And, in 2018, he started in all 16 of Carolina’s contests.

A second-round pick in 2012, Kalil has been one of the best players in team history. He served as the pivotman during the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 run and played every game of the Panthers’ 2008, ’13 and ’14 playoff seasons.

With the Jets, Kalil will supplant Jonotthan Harrison as the team’s man in the middle.

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